“Aunt Irene…Discipline…” | Grandma’s Stories

Jul 22nd “Aunt Irene…Discipline…”

Sometimes …maybe not in society today…but- yesterday – there was always one person – who would rule the roost! In the Brady Family it was Irene Brady. When the “FAMILY” was all boys – and then one little girl shows up – well – you know that everyone is going to think that “she” is the “Queen” and – all through her Life – that is what our Aunt Irene Brady Riley – thought she was.

If I remember correctly – at the time or very near the time for “Irene” to be born – one of the “BRADY” clan that came over from Ireland …had won a lot of money on a “HORSE’ and the name of this winner horse…”IRENE” – so naturally little baby Irish girl – became a “Winner” with the perfect name “IRENE!”

All is well in the “BRADY FAMILY” – the older boys are married and leave home and then … we have another little baby girl – this will be number 13 and the end of the line. At first …everyone thought that this new baby girl, MARIE – was the daughter of the eldest brother JAMES BRADY…surely old Mrs. Thomas BRADY was way past her years of having any more children??? But soon – everything came to a normal as usual order and LIFE continues peaceably – for awhile???

Little Marie is at home with older sister Irene – and the parents – now that the parents are getting older and will be needy more care – who will that person be??

Irene is old enough to get married and move out – and may as well – so that way everyone will expect little Marie – to just grow into the home keeper for the older parents – as in those days – there was no government insurance and no homes suitable for the old folks

What a rousing development – Irene gets married! Irene has a moving truck pull up to the “BRADY HOME” – and the large and swanky piano and all of the prize possessions in the “HOME”…those that Irene thought that she was entitled to – all move to her home!. I’m guessing that Irene was so used to having everything her way – that even on moving out – she thought she still “ruled the roost” at the old “BRADY” homestead.

There was only one piece of music that Irene could really play on the piano – and that was, “I Love You Truly” – as she also had a music box that played that same song… – and of course…today – I have that old silver music box …and it still plays…”I Love You Truly!”

Well…everything that Irene took – and without permission… had to be returned! This was probably when some of the friction started – between the two sisters …– as Irene always seem to have a strong controlling type of authority over all of the FAMILY. She was also very strict with her very own son, little Bernie.

For some reason… or the other… and this may have started – way back and when in the ORPHANAGE…that whenever something was going on – and I was a part of the conversation… I almost and without even giving it a second thought – I would have the last word. Whatever and for no good reason – this would continue – even to when I would be visiting – Aunt Irene at her home???

Aunt Irene called this problem … of mine – to my attention – once when we were in the bedroom of her house – she was giving me some clothes – and as I was trying them on – to see if I wanted them – we were talking. Of course – when I am talking – and someone has something to say – – well I like to continue the thought process and conversation going – unless it is time for me to leave or for me to just move on …but on this one occasion – Aunt Irene – just seem to want me to have “it” and all four barrels full!

This “time” – I think Aunt Irene was going to see to it – that for anyone else that she could not say some type of harsh and crucible stuff to – this was the time to make up for not being able to “Discipline” the whole world…specially any and all of the FAMILY – that she thought needed some very strict correction!

I did receive a thorough “tongue” lashing – as never before – and …as I always do – I did have to say… and – long after she was done – “this I will remember and forever!” – – – Well…that was the straw that really was too much – Aunt Irene – blurted out…”You still have to get the LAST WORD!” – “YES!”