Elizabeth Carlin
I met Momma Patty when I was 13 or 14, some 43 years ago. She and my father were married for some years. I lived with them some during my teenage years in Metairie, Louisiana. Momma Patty made quite an impression on me when I met her and when I lived with her. I have many wonderful memories of her and I have to share a few. I have to write about her today, because today is her 90th birthday.
Momma Patty introduced me to a now trendy food - avocado toast. She spread smashed fresh Hass avocado on top of toasted sourdough bread. As if that wasn't enough, she sprinkled a bit of garlic powder or garlic salt on the top. Oh man! Talk about good. Patty was from California and said she grew up eating that. I hadn't even eaten fresh avocado until I was a teenager. I've called that meal California breakfast and thought of Patty each time I ate it. I plan to call it Patty's toast or Patty's breakfast from now on. I'll tell the story too.
On a weened trip to Barataria Bay, I caught my first fish, a huge one, the largest any of us caught that day. I couldn't help but peek in the ice chest where we put the fish. I felt sad for it. Momma Patty saw my struggle and told me I could set It free if I wanted. I must have peeked in that ice chest a dozen times. Each time she assured me I could set it free if I wanted. I wish I could accurately describe the timbre of Momma Patty's voice, but if you knew her, you can hear her say "darling, we don't have to keep it. You can set it free." I didn't set it free and I don't remember much else about that trip, but that gesture has stayed with me my whole life.
We lived in a beautiful two story home. A phone (maybe the only one) was located in a little alcove beside the stairs. One Friday afternoon, I was on the phone when Momma Patty poked her head in, smiled, and told me to pack my things because we were going to Florida for a few days. We just up and went to Florida in her little yellow Toyota Celica. She knew I had never been to Florida.. I can still see myself standing on the beach with her and how happy she was to give that experience to me.
Momma Patty touched and influenced my life in loving and positive ways. I looked at my college degree a couple of months ago and thought about the fact that no one in my family attended college. I wondered how I even decided to go to college without ever even having a mentor. And then I remembered being so impressed that Patty graduated from college, and that when I was in high school, I had no goals or direction. I didn't think I was smart enough for college, but Momma Patty told me I was. She encouraged me to apply and attend. I was scared and waited several years before deciding to go to college. It took me a while, but I graduated. I thought about all this looking at my degree, and that's when I realized that Patty was my mentor. She was my trusted advisor and without her, I would not have my college degree.
Momma Patty told me that when she got her first apartment or went away to college, an uncle gave her a big jar filled with different sized screws, nuts, washers, and nails. She said was one of the best gifts ever, because you always need those things. I've shared that story jar. since I met her. My step-granddaughter got her first apartment earlier this year. I gave her a small tool bag with several jars filled with the same needed items that Momma Patty received in the late 1940s.
Momma Patty was smart, loving, and helped shaped my life for the better.
…Happy Birthday, Momma Patty. I love you. I miss you.
Love, Mary Beth
