DEBBIE GRAY on GROWING UP with AUNT LOUISE and UNCLE BONI

Since the Bonikowski’s lived 2 blocks away, it was my home away from home and they were like my 2^nd set of parents.  That was great most of the time.  I’d walk or bike over there about every weekend.  I’d have unlimited cokes, Uncle Boni’s popcorn and all the sports I could watch on tv.  We’d sit in the living room and yell at the tv (me and Aunt Louise, anyway).  Uncle Boni would be the voice of reason and tell it like it was “no, he did too travel!”

Often, the 3 of us would walk down to the Bridge Villa where we would belly up to the bar and listen to the Cubs/Cardinals on the radio and yell at it (me and Aunt Louise, anyway).  There, I got all the kiddie cocktails or sodas I could drink.  Was also given lots of dimes to play the bowling machine and Aunt Louise and Uncle Boni would often play along.  Many quarters were handed over so I could play the jukebox. 3 songs for that quarter.

The other exciting thing was getting to go to the Bradley basketball games.  They had season tickets as did Joann Ehmann.  Aunt Louise and Joann sat together 6 rows behind the visitors bench.  There, they would yell like crazy the entire game.  Occasionally, somebody would look over and Aunt Louise would give them a little smile.  I took that to mean we were excused.  Uncle Boni sat across the fieldhouse in the theater seats or what I called the old folks section.  They just watched and clapped, that was about it.  When one of them couldn’t go to a game and my brother Bill had finally gone off to college, I got the extra ticket.  Those were the best times, especially when I got to sit in Aunt Louise's or Joann’s seat where I could jump up and yell all night.  Uncle Boni would always chuckle about the times I used his ticket because the people around him never failed to mention to him how his niece sure liked to yell.

Also went to church with them every Sunday.  Because I had no choice.  However, at some point we started going out to breakfast at Jumer’s after Mass, so that made it all worthwhile. Those killer cinnamon rolls to look forward to.

The one thing I’ve always appreciated about going over there all the time is it’s where I really learned to enjoy reading.  Uncle Boni had a subscription to Sports Illustrated and I got to read it from beginning to end and we would talk about the stories.  I always credit him with getting me pointed down the reading path.  He gave me my first subscription to Sports Illustrated and later on a crossword dictionary.  On the first page he wrote "use it and gain knowledge."  I still have it. 

To this day, mom and I, when we’re sitting around belching out loud, we’ll look at each other and say “excuse me, pigs, I’m a gentleman” one of his favorite sayings!
There’s not a day goes by that I don’t think about him.

Lastly, as I said, having them nearby was mostly a great thing.  However, I do remember one time when it would have been preferable if they hadn't been.  I was not allowed to ride my bike on Madison Street.  Too busy my mom said.  So I did ride on Madison as much as possible.  One time I was riding on Madison with a friend riding on the handlebars.  I lost control, we both went flying and a car coming down the street had to slam on the brakes to keep from hitting us.  That was really bad luck for me since it turned out to be Aunt Louise and Uncle Boni.  They both came flying out of the car and read me the riot act for what seemed like forever.  Then, they made me WALK, not ride, my bike all the way home as they followed behind in the car.  And, of course, once I got home, I got yelled at even more.  I’ll never forget that day.