"Some Bull!"

I have some wonderful old photos of your mama, ninos. They may not last until you are grown, as they are fading away. But some of them I treasure for the memories they evoke. I'll try sharing a few with you, let's see if they translate.

This picture was taken in the Spring of 1971. This is Nonna holding your mama. We are keeping company with a West Texas bull. We have been driving for days across Texas, Mame and me in my little Datsun car. Mame has the backseat to herself (no car seats in 1971 of course) packed and padded to create a tiny play pen. Horrifyingly dangerous, I now know, but back then it seemed like a great idea. The down side was Mame used my long hair to pull herself up and stand behind me as we flew along. I wound it into the tightest knot I could fashion, but always a few little wisps escaped and so I left it in a braid, the least painful "handle" I could manage.

We are standing by the bull because I am very angry in the picture (even though I appear to be smiling). Mame's dad (your grandpa Steve) was driving a truck along with us, and he never wanted to stop for meals or coffee or a bathroom break. Guess my temper tantrum reminded him of a cranky old bull as he took this photo. Anyway I love the picture because it reminds me of your mom, about ten months old, holding onto my hair and babbling into my ears as she swayed and bounced along, just happy to be alive and never doubting for a moment that her mama could keep her that way.