Friday, July 3, 2015
Dear Richard and family,
I grew up with Sharon Ann in Southwest Philly. She was my first childhood friend. We used to play in her yard near 56th Street and Elmwood avenue along with my Brother Joe and Sharon's sister Georgina. As I recall, both Mom and Dad were WWII veterans. What a great family! Her Mom used to make us all lunch - I remember lettuce & tomato on white bread with salad dressing - delicious! Every time I make one of those sandwiches today I think of those days. Dad was a painter as I recall who had a brown truck filled with his painter's tools - written on the side of the truck was "Thomas Masterson, Master Painter." He used to drive us kids to the 9am children Mass at St. Barnabas Church when the weather was bad - what a great ride we had in the back - can't do that these days.
The four of us used to walk the 1.25 miles to and from school (sometime twice if we went home for lunch). It was 10 cents to ride the PTC trolley, but things were tight financially and we usually only got that dime to get to school in the morning.
We went to first grade together at St. Barnabas - we were in Room #17 and our teacher was an IHM nun named Sister Marita Roberts. My family moved out of the immediate neighborhood when we were in third grade and I only saw Sharon from time to time in school.
A few years ago I reconnected with Sharon on Classmates and had some good conversation and memories shared. She consoled me when my Sister Maria passed away in 2009.
I am a fortunate man to have started off life in this world with such a good friend and kind family as the Masterson's and especially my first friend, Sharon Ann.
I will see you all again some day.
