SUNDAY MEMORIES
Judy Wills
I have a really quirky family. And most of them I have enjoyed through the years – or stories about them.
My Mother’s family is originally from Ireland, with a good old name of McBratney. I don’t know a lot about the family history, but only some from my Great-grandfather on. He was one of 11 children, eight of them male. I know that they called themselves “The Boys” and got together occasionally.
About the time I was “aware” of life, there were only four “boys” left, my great-grandfather not being one of them. I made a trip to Kansas once with my Aunt Jessie and Granny, and got to see them then. However, my fondest memories are in 1958 when those four “boys” came to Albuquerque for a visit. They were my Granny’s uncles, my Mother’s great-uncles, and so my great-great-uncles. But they were fun and funny to be around.
While I enjoyed them all, I guess Uncle Jess was the one I remember the most.
And this story about him always delights me – and makes others laugh when I tell it.Back in 1958, one of the favorite things to do was to grill steaks on the outside grill. Big, thick, juicy steaks – lots of fat to flavor the meat – special seasoning to give it just the right tenderness and flavor. You remember, right?
Well, one of those times, after the meat had been cooked and all were seated at the table, Uncle Jess began to meticulously cut all the fat from off his steak….and then proceeded to EAT THE FAT! My Mother exclaimed – “Uncle Jess! The doctor told you not to eat the fat on your steaks!” And he calmly replied, “No he didn’t. He only told me to be sure and cut it off.”
As I said, he was a sweetheart!
Old Things R New 
What a delightful sense of humour. It is so refreshing to be around people like him.
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Judy, it’s so great for your kids and grandkids to know this about their ancestors, and great for my kids and grandkids, too. Thanks for writing it. It was delightful.
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I reallly enjoyed Uncle Jess. I had some uncles like that too and I miss them.
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