Flippy - I Rant, You Read

Friday, October 19, 2007

terribly early in the morning

Hilda Collins (1915 - 2007) - Give Our Regards To Uncle Al

My mom called me last night to tell me that Auntie Hilda (my dad’s big sister by ten years) had passed away.  She had a stroke a few months ago and wasn’t doing well.  Until then, she was still visiting us in Vegas, and playing the blackjack tables with the youngsters in their seventies and eighties.  Auntie Hilda wasn’t just one of my favorite relatives, she was one of my favorite people.  Since I was little I always thought she was so cool.  I don’t know, maybe it sounds weird, but Auntie Hilda & Uncle Al always seemed like an old-time movie star couple.  They were always spiffily dressed (Auntie Hilda used to own a dress shop) - Auntie Hilda was always wearing an “outfit”.  Not just a pair of pants or a skirt and blouse, but an outfit.  Uncle Al was always wearing the latest in country club casual, with a variety of cool hats.  While I think cigar smoke is one of the most disgusting smells on the planet, Uncle Al used to smoke the occasional cigar, and now when I smell the first tiny whiff of cigar, it makes me nostalgic, thinking that Uncle Al might be sitting on a bench somewhere, hanging out.

While I’m not a big believer in an afterlife, I like to think that happy couples are rejoined…somewhere.  I hope Uncle Al quit smoking during his wait for Auntie Hilda, and maybe took up Sudoku or knitting or metal sculpture or something.  Oh, who am I kidding, he probably napped in the most comfortable chair he could find while waiting for her.  Why should the afterlife be any different?  Anyway, they’re now probably going out to a fancy dinner with their friends.  Auntie Hilda showed up a little early for their dinner reservation, but they’ll all be happy to see her.  And from now on, I’m sure she’ll be in charge.

This is a picture of Auntie Hilda & Uncle Al’s 50th wedding anniversary. They were married on Valentine’s Day, 1937. It never seemed right that they weren’t Auntie Hilda & Uncle Al anymore…now they’re back together.

Blowing out the candles at her 90th birthday party at N9NE at the Palms in Las Vegas.  Afterwards, we “youngsters”, including my dad and Auntie Hilda (our ages were from about 35 - 90, averaging over 50), partied at ghostbar.

I don’t even really know how to explain this, but when I told my brothers, they understood.  We have an African Grey named Blackjack, and she has a pretty large vocabulary.  One of the most interesting things she says is “Helloooooooooo!” because she sounds just like Auntie Hilda when she says it.  In the olden days, when it was safe to leave your front door open while waiting for guests to arrive at a party, I always remembered Auntie Hilda saying, “Hellooooooo!” when she walked in the door, to let us know that she and Uncle Al had arrived.  Blackjack says it just about daily, so it sounds like Auntie Hilda & Uncle Al are always on their way in to the party.  Auntie Hilda to mingle and be where the action was, and Uncle Al to schmooze a bit, go outside to have a cigar, then come back in and find a comfy spot to sit for a nap.  Yep, he was always napping sitting up.  I’ll miss Auntie Hilda, but she definitely left behind a lifetime of memories for me (Balboa Island, Nin, Hanukkah parties, etc.) and was a presence that no one who met her will ever forget.  GrAuntie Hilda & GrUncle Al (my cousins and I decided on new names for them once, because it was always difficult to call them by name when we were together because they were my aunt & uncle, but their grandparents), I hope you’ve already settled back into your usual routine together.  Auntie Hilda is busy doing things…and Uncle Al is sitting in the den, watching a USC ballgame.

I’m so sorry that Leigh-Ann and I weren’t able to go to the service.  Leigh-Ann really liked Auntie Hilda - she reminded her of her grandmother, so she always enjoyed seeing Auntie Hilda when she was here visiting.  I’m sorry that she never got to meet Uncle Al - she would’ve gotten a kick out of him.  (I can still hear him calling me “Slugger” and asking David about his arm)