Saturday, April 25, 2020
I knew her as Mrs. Ackerman. She had 6 children but all the children in the neighborhood were welcome in her home. I was closest in age to her eldest daughter, Marie. There was a large grape vine on the side of the house, As children we would hide under the leaves and eat grapes. Then Mrs Ackerman and Mrs Gannon would harvest the grapes, and go through the old fashion practice of making grape jelly. She always gave a jar to the neighbors and we saved it for a special occasion.
As we grew into adults, she asked us to call her Kathy, but I never could break the habit. One time she and my mother were sitting in our sun room when the conversation turned to dances during the time of "real music". Mom put on a her record "Boggie Woogie Bugle Boy" and the two of them started dancing. The steps they did were hysterical. I think it was the first time, I realized that they had once been as young and crazy as we were.
Mrs.Ackerman had a quick laugh, and a joyous heart.
