Memories of Uncle L

My tios and the tiny version of me.

I have so many good memories of my Great Uncle L. He passed away ten years ago. I was just thinking the other day about when I lived with him and Great Auntie in Florida. Him talking me into taking his 1968 red T-Bird convertible to the store…and "take the long way home, by the beach, so you can find a boyfriend.” I remember thinking at the time to myself…A-I’m not looking for a boyfriend B-My car is already enough of a guy magnet…not sure I want an even more guy magnet-ish car!!…and C-I need a hot car to find a boyfriend!?

Too funny, but I know it was his way of trying to keep me in Florida. I was very, very tempted to stay in Florida too, but it was too expensive for a kid just starting out.

I remember on vacation when I was 14, Uncle L going to the mall with us, and I fingered this beautiful soft, pink sweater there. I decided it cost too much money, so I left it. Right before we left to come back to Illinois, Uncle L said - "Hold on, Beautiful, I have something for you." He'd gone back to the store and he got that sweater for me!

When I was small, he'd always sing "Beautiful Brown Eyes" to me. He still sang it to me when I was in high school, and my eyes were becoming more hazel. Every year he and Great Auntie came to Illinois for 2 weeks in October, so my wonderful Tia could see the fall foliage she loved so much. He'd bring his guitar, and we'd all spend an evening singing, laughing, talking, eating Cuban food. It was beautiful. He'd play a few songs in Spanish that my grandma and Tia would sing too, and sometimes my eccentric Auntie (I also have a story that I'm writing about her and how I became a hippie the summer I turned 3--about the same age I am in the photo--because of her. It's outlined in my personal journal, so I'll post it soon.) and my mom would know the songs too.

Partially because of my uncle, I have a profound love of music. He got me listening to Julio Iglesias and Marty Robbins. He got me interested in trying to pick out tunes on a guitar. He got me interested in cumbia, chicha and salsa music.

Speaking of my own guy magnet car – my '65 Mercury Comet – it probably didn’t hurt that my friends were all so beautiful. Maybe they were the guy magnets, not my Baby Comet. Maybe it was just the great combination of hot girls in a hot car. I remember the ex-husband and I drag racing against each other in the New Mexico desert. Baby Comet didn't have quite the pick-up that our '92 Mustang 5.0 Litre did, but she kicked ass in the long haul. I can't remember if the speedometer went to 120 or 140, but I know I pushed 120 mph on those long stretches of desert road where you could see for miles and miles, but would never see a single other car.

Yes...I'm a chick. And I think cars are hot. What can I say? Even now I love my little Nissan Juke. It looks like a Volkswagen Beetle and an SUV had a love child and it has its fair share of power. I don't live life in the fast lane anymore, but I still could...if I wanted to. And, no worries Uncle L. I found a boyfriend. After 24 years, I think I'll keep him!