Mary was my first cousin—even with a 23-year age gap. Our moms were sisters. Even though we did not grow up together, my Aunt Ruth was my favorite aunt, so especially after I got married and had kids, and they moved to Dallas closer to me, we would get together a few times a year.
As a child my parents would take one vacation a year. A lot of times that involved going to see family—usually for my dad to do some handy work while we were there. One time was a trip to New Orleans. I was probably 10 or 11. Mary owned the Logos Bookstore in the French Quarter. I could walk the couple of blocks to catch the streetcar by myself and go to her store to “work.” I would dust, and be paid in either books or ice cream money.
I was introduced to so many new things that small town Corsicana did not have. I saw a Mardi Gras parade, caught plenty of beads and even saw Telly Savalas aka Kojak in a parade! I also saw my first drag queen which at the time was very eye opening. I did not walk to the ice cream shop by myself again. I always had an endless supply of books and for the past several years a subscription to monthly crossword puzzles.
The last 20 years or so we would get together around Christmas, meet up for dinner and Dallas Stars games, or games at their house. We shared a love of crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles. I will certainly miss our Christmas dinners and game playing.
—Carolyn Phinney