In our families, there are always those very special people who capture our love and affection. These are the ones we look up to throughout our lives. Be sure to take the time today and contact your aunts and uncles; because you can bet, they played a huge part in your life in some manner that really mattered at the time.
How about lunch with them or just visiting to spend some very special time in giving thanks for the incredible contributions they made during your life.
Many times, your Aunt Mary or Uncle Bill served as mentors, confidantes, or just those fun-loving folks you loved having them around.
Today, we have a golden opportunity to let our aunts and uncles know how much they are appreciated and loved.
It’s likely your aunts and uncles are totally unaware that today, this July 22 – they are being recognized as key members of the family structure.
You’re invited to do what I did. Grab paper and pen and begin remembering those very special moments you enjoyed with them throughout your lives or even last week! You’ll be amazed as to how many times you remember.
Once I began writing my memories, they seemingly came alive with specifics and photos.
I would like to list some special memories that I shared with my aunts and uncles that just might bring a smile to your face.
However, my childhood and youth was such that I was raised by my grandmother, two aunts and uncles. They were always nearby to assist, contribute and be sure I received whatever was needed at those key times in my life.
AUNT MONA: A wonderful woman that never married and spent her entire life working at home with her mom when she could. She possessed incredible energy and a super personality that was always present during her many years at Ashland’s Kings Daughters Hospital front desk. I remember she took me to work with her one day and proudly introduced me to so many co-workers. She was so proud of me.
During my early school years, Aunt Mona would take a quarter and tie it into a knot on the end of a handkerchief so I wouldn’t lose my lunch money. She was always thinking ahead.
I recall having trouble with my arithmetic and learning fractions. Aunt Mona was there sitting beside me at our dining room table explaining the factors throughout my grammar school years.
Why would she do all these things?
Basically, Aunt Mona became my Guardian Angel during those tough years of income in the mid 1940’s.
Later in life, as many know, I married Jo and our first-born Mikie came along in 1962 and you’re right, Aunt Mona was always right there to help in any way possible. I guess it was like a replay of my many special years with her.
The years passed quickly and sadly, I lost her in 1972. Her passing was devastating for me at the time. I loved her because she dedicated her life to me at a time when I needed her. I will never forget her. May she Rest in Peace.
AUNT BIDD: She was Aunt Mona’s younger sister who lived in the big house on Carter Avenue with us. She was married to my Uncle Bill Klass. I have no idea where she got the nickname of “Bidd” as her given name was Arvilla. She, like Mona, was a loving person as well. She and Uncle Bill never had any children and you’re right again, all the attention was given to me and my younger sister Sharon.
Aunt Bidd was a jovial person who loved to cook and was one of the two members of our family that could drive. Uncle Bill was the other.
Our family had a huge Hamilton upright piano in the front hallway and I remember she could play some. She taught me a lot about playing and I began learning to play by ear. This is when she put me into piano lessons where I learned even more. I owe Aunt Bidd for that wonderful blessing.
Our huge front porch on Carter Ave was always occupied by all of our family it seemed. My memories of when we all would sit there listening to Waite Hoyt and his beloved Reds on the radio seems like yesterday.
Refreshments? You bet.
Aunt Bidd would usually suggest that I go over on 13th street and buy a dozen hot donuts. She and Aunt Mona provided cold iced tea. I guess a movie could have been made of how wonderful things were so long ago.
Those beautiful years passed quickly and sadly, we lost Aunt Bidd early in her life in 1962. Everyone in our family loved her so much. I miss her so much, even today. May she Rest in Peace.
UNCLE BILL KLASS: Aunt Bidd’s loving husband, Bill was quite a fine man. He and Aunt Bidd lived with us all through my life there. He worked at Armco Steel and was a very talented carpenter as well as very creative. I remember well at Christmas one year, Bill and Aunt Bidd bought me a new electric toy train. Christmas morning, they surprised me with it.
He had it all assembled on a plywood board with several tunnels and landscaping. To be honest, I sensed he loved playing with it too.
Uncle Bill’s pride and joy came to our house in 1953. He and Aunt Bidd had bought a brand – new Plymouth Cranbrook sedan. When I turned 16, he made sure I would pass my driver’s test by coaching me in his new car and pass I did.
Uncle Bill sadly passed in1973; but he left me with so many memories and photos of he and Aunt Bidd. I was blessed to have had them both near by during the early years of my life. May he Rest in Peace.
UNCLE JOHN MANTLE — After serving in World War II, Uncle John returned home and quickly became a role model for me. He was constantly giving me life’s lessons and direction. The post war years passed and by 1951 his job required him to be on the road for various road trips and decided that I was a young 13-year-old kid that should join him along the way.
Our conversations in the car covered those things that teenagers usually encountered, and his guidance would be there for me whenever I needed advice.
Our road trips took us from Cumberland Falls, Kentucky to Elkins, West Virginia. As mentioned, the trips were very long, but our conversations always focused on my life and the preparations on how to succeed. He was always there for me.
Looking back, my time with Uncle John was so very important in those early teen years where decisions sometimes were very critical and demanding. Today, I would love to shake his hand and with a huge smile saying – “Thanks for everything.”
So, I ask you to embrace this very special day with those loving memories of your own from yesteryear.
Hopefully, you can make magic memories with your aunt and uncle of today! If you can, you are blessed. Give them a call, go to dinner, take photos, but be sure and give them a huge hug and thank them for all that they do.
After all, REMEMBER – It’s NATIONAL AUNTS AND UNCLES’ DAY.
Mike Tussey has “retired” from a 60-plus-year career as a legendary play-by-play announcer for over 2000 football, baseball, and basketball games, including most recently for ESPN+. His career also includes a stint in law enforcement, teaching and coaching, and writing books, including the “Touchdown Saints.” He grew up in Eastern Kentucky and now lives in Florence with his wife, Jo. He has opened another “Door of Opportunity” and is now a regular columnist for the NKyTribune.