Momma called to say that Mrs. Hooks died last week. Out of respect for my elders she will never be Mary to me, forever Mrs. Hooks. I was sad to hear of Joe and John loosing their mother. I was sad to hear of one more piece of my childhood slipping away. I loved Mrs. Hooks. Every time I have ever gone "home" to Montgomery, I always stopped by to see her. She never failed to recognize me and always welcomed me home. She also never failed to remind me that her son John could have met his death at our hands, the hanging she had always prided herself on preventing.
The Hook's house was one of the first homes on Sherwood Drive and it has remained their family home since 1955. Nothing ever changed there. Mrs. Hooks was swept away by the blond furniture rage,she purchased the same dining room furniture we had. Some where along the way we ditched ours but she still had hers the last time I saw her. Mr. Hooks, Joe Tom, passed away long before her. He spent his working days at a company that made dog food. I never remember them having a dog but Rover sure like to go to their house. We all like to go to their house. Mr. & Mrs. Hooks had a way of making you feel welcome, Mr. Hooks always teased us and made us laugh.
Their son Joe and my brother Bob would fight like cats and dogs over some quarrel that I was never privy to. The Hooks never took sides although I do recall them breaking up a fight with a cold spray from the water hose.
Joe Tom and Mary Hooks, they were the Ward and June Cleavers of Sherwood Forest. I can just hear Minerva Kennedy in heaven giving her the scoop on the streets of gold. Aunt Lee, Aunt Dora and Uncle Gene will be there too. All the old neighbors will always have a special place in my heart, especially Mrs. Hooks.
No comments:
Post a Comment