Hello This Is Us

By Patricia A. E. Hampton

Touching as it gets, but true, this memoir is only a one picked version of some of the good times that my family and I shared while growing up as a child. Introducing "Hello This Is Us' a memoir written in memory of my deceased parents and is intended for all audiences.

Hello This Is Us has a unique blend of deep down southern country and city life, with a touch of some great southern hospitality and is filled with lots of hilarious events as well as some devastating moments. Thanks for considering my book. Enjoy!

• Language: English
• Publisher: CreateSpace
• Release date: Jan 9, 2018
• ISBN: 9781546855927

Book preview

About The Book

Hello This Is Us, is about a summer vacation that my family and I had taken one summer to the country to visit some relatives. The setting of the story takes place in rural Mississippi and in parts of Louisiana. One of the characters in the story finds that her parents after staying in the country while on vacation, had decided that they were going to be permanently living in the country, after Elcee her uncle had persuaded her father Alex that life was much better in the country than it was in the city which made her very disappointed too know that she would have to leave her friends behind in the city.

Despite some of the disappointed moments that took place in the book, the book is also filled with lots of hilarious events that happened on some occasions that’ll keep you laughing throughout the book.

Special Acknowledgements:

This book is a memoir dedicated to my deceased parents Mr. & Mrs. Author and Rosa Lee Evans. And to my great-great grandmother Mrs. Irena Hampton. THANKS FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL YEARS OF MY YOUNG LIFE AND MAY YOUR SOULS R.I.P."

Hello This Is Us, By: Patricia A.E. Hampton

© Copyright: 2010 all rights reserved.

Library of Congress Control Number

2017911453

Chapter 1

The Arrival

I could remember the days when my parents would take me to the country too visit my aunt Sarah. Upon arrival, after driving for almost four hours, we had to pass a spring that was located on her big open field along with gates filled with pigs, mules and bulls. She also had chickens and hens, in which I could remember picking with them and they would chase behind me. Not to mention the fun my cousin Teka and I had together playing around the yard. My aunt Sarah was the type of person that was kind and gentle with children but strick. Teka, my cousin, was sort of on the quiet side, but fun too play with. I could also remember how mom and Aunt Sarah would be gossiping and laughing about the old days when they were growing up together as kids. While my father and uncle would gossip about hunting. My father was a hunter and farmer before moving to the city, and loved the sport of hunting. On the other hand, my uncle had somehow become rather board with the sport and had given up on hunting, especially without him not having anyone to go hunting with. Know I begin the story of how our life went in the country. Later that evening, after settling in after the long drive to the country, I could here my father and uncle talking about killing a pig or hug or something and how they could eat everything from the pig, In the meantime ma and aunt Sarah was preparing the 6’00 dinner, while my cousin Teka and I was getting washed up in the outhouse in a wash tub. Life in the country was so much different than it was in the city. Back home we had running water in which we had to pay for and an inside bathroom to tend to our personal needs. We also had a faucet that we turned on to get water for whatever reason.

––––––––

In the country we had to manually pump water from a well to get the water we needed. Once we were finished washing up for dinner and went back into the house, the house smell of collard greens, yams, and cornbread filled our noises. You all it’s time too sit down and eat! aunt Sarah yelled. Boy! How I had been waiting for that moment especially after missing lunch. Uncle Elcee and my father were already at the table cracking hunting jocks as usual. While ma and aunt Sarah was serving the dinner. Ma had finally filled the last plate and sat down at the table and we all said grace before eating. Being so hungry from missing lunch; dinner tasted even better than ever. After we all finished dinner, Teka and I was asked to clear the table and wash the dishes. Once we completed our choirs that evening, we headed for the den and sat on the couch where uncle Elcee and my father was sitting, telling stories of the older days while my cousin and I listen. Night fell and it was time for bed, so Teka and I decided to head for the room. We’re not going to go to sleep just as yet, I won’t to know how it is living in the big city, she replied. Well for one thing, it’s a big difference from the country, I responded. In the city everything is close and in walking distance, such as the groceries stores. We even have movie theaters and parks with swings. Sometimes on Saturdays, ma and pa would take me and some of my friends to the giant water sliding board. What’s that, Teka replied. It’s pretty much similar to a park with a sliding board, except its real tall and big with water on it. Everyone has to wait in line to climb the big ladder to get to the top of it. Once you get to the top, you set on a potato sack and slide down in water. Wow that must be lot’s of fun. she said. Yeah it is. I replied. "Sometimes we take

––––––––

some of my friends with us like Megan. We always have fun together at the park while ma and pa sit on the bench and watch. Maybe before the summer is out you could come with us. I replied. Well, well, I’d love that. she said. In the morning we’ll ask aunt ‘Sarah if it’s alright. I already know that ma and pa wouldn’t mind. I replied. We’ll do it first thing in the morning. I replied. Early that morning we woke up and washed our faces and dressed ourselves for the day. To our surprise we were up before everyone else in the house, even Aunt Sarah. Aproxmently one hour earlier before the rooster crowed. We sat in the kitchen for a while and than went into the back yard too gather some eggs in the old chicken house. This was the first thing that Aunt Sarah did in the morning before cooking breakfast. When we entered the house, Aunt Sarah was just awakening. While placing the eggs in the crate in the kitchen aunt Sarah was about too leave out the back door; her usual exit she usually take too get into the chicken coop. Aunt Sarah. I shouted. Well what a surprise too see you girls up so early, especially Terka. So what’s up with you girls. she replied in a cheerful mode. Nothing much. I said. Oh, there’s no need too go out for the eggs, we got them already. Teka replied. Well thanks, that was mighty kind of you, now I could start breakfast. I tell you girls what, you all can help me prepare breakfast this morning. she said. Teka reached into the crate for eggs while Aunt Sarah was preparing a big pot for some grits. I than start too prepare the table so Aunt Sarah would have somewhere to roll out the doe for the biscuit. Once she started cooking the grits, she walked over to the table and began too roll out the doe. Once I finish rolling the doe, Tricia you could start cutting them and placing them into the pan too bake." aunt Sarah replied. Aunt Sarah recipe for biscuit was the best in town.

Her recipes had won her several good cooking awards at the church fair. In the meantime pa and uncle Elcee was outside picking the pigs that they were going too slaughter while mom was sitting the table. Mom walked too the door and slightly opened the old raggly screen door and yelled for them too come in and eat. I could hardly wait too eat some of aunt Sarah biscuit. We all finally was all seated at the table when I suddenly looked at Teka and noticed she was fumbling with some eggs on her plate and she gazed at me as too say when I was going too ask her mom about going too the city. I lightly had placed my fork on my plate and than tried too get the attention of Aunt Sarah. Uh, Aunt Sarah. I called. She did not here me for so busy listing too pa and uncle Elcee talk. Excuse me Aunt Sarah. I said.  She than began too look towards me. What is it Tricia. she replied. I was telling Teka about the city and I am trying too find out it it’s alright for her to come with us for the remaining of the summer. I replied. Sure she can. she replied. Lillian is it alright that Teka come with you all for the summer. aunt Sarah replied. Sure that’s fine with me. ma replied. Teka and I both looked at each other smiling. There’s lot’s of different kinds of fun in the city that I know you would like. said mom. Sarah would you like too come along to? There’s a variety of stores too choose from. On Fridays I usually go to the mall and do all my shopping. Mom replied. Well I’ll have too thank about it, after all I have grown so accustomed too how things is in the country until I feel I wouldn’t fit in. Aunt Sarah replied. In other words, I don’t know if I could take too the congestion in the city. And besides, I couldn’t leave uncle Elcee here along especially by him being sick with the sugar. she said. Well now Sarah, do you thank I would not take Elcee with us, when I offered you that meant Elcee as well. mom

said. Nop, I wouldn’t even won’t to thank of going in the city for nothing in the world around all those wild and crazy people. No thanks, the country is right where I belong. I was born here and going to die here. Not even too visit. For nothing. I spent two weeks in that city of yours on military leave, and was stocked, terrorized and not too mention, robbed and those old police wouldn’t do their job with catching them. I lost all my money and had too sleep in a flop house until I could make it back to the station in Virginia, yeah. I’m pretty much sure it’s even worse and beside someone have too be here to care for the stock. uncle Elcee replied. Oh now come on Elcee, that’s been years ago. Yes they do still have problems, but you can’t let what happened in the past keep you from not being above too go back in these places. pa replied. No I’ve made up my mind not too go. he replied. Aw ha! Aw ha! You know you are a real stubborn man, but I’ll thank of a way too convince you to go. said pa.

Chapter 2

Slaughting of the Hog

While aunt Sarah, ma and Teka and I was doing the morning cleanup, pa and uncle Elcee was in the yard pulling out hogs too decide which one they were going to slaughter. All I could here from the outside was the hogs making all kinds of noise. They had finally caught the hog and cut it and than hung it on the line too drain. After we completed our choirs, Teka and I decided too go in the yard too watch what was going on. You all kids get back. pa yelled. They were releasing the hog from the line too start cutting the parts off. Ma looked out from the screen door and told us too come inside. There’s nothing for a girl too do out there. That’s all men work. she said. So we both went back inside in the kitchen where mom was. You girls can help prepare the bags too store the meat in. mom replied. Uncle Elcee and pa came inside with a big tub of meat. The sight of it almost made me sick. Finally we began to clean and place the meat in the storage bags. I hadn’t seen so much of meat a day in my life. This was almost more than what the stores had in the coolers I thought to myself. Just when we began too store the meat, pa and uncle Elcee had start playing some music. Uncle Elcee was a pro at playing the guitar while pa was good at playing the harmonica. We all danced to the sound of it while putting the meat away. I could here ma and Aunt Sarah all laughing by the door. When I looked out, uncle Elcee was doing an old time dance while he played the guitar

and I thought this was funny. Teka and I went outside to join the fun. A reward will go to the best dancer!  uncle Elcee shouted. We must have danced the whole morning away.

––––––––

Unfortunately like ma was saying, while they were gossiping the first day that we arrived

by Aunt Sarah, that she always won the best dancer contest while in high school, and that she did that day in the yard. Announcing the winner of the dance contest as usual, Ms. Twiggy! uncle Elcee exclaimed. Twiggy was a name given too her while in high school by her friends because she was so tall and skinny and into this day she was still skinny. Hooray! she shouted. You still got it Sarah! ma shouted while pa was clapping. You really cut the rug again Sarah. he said. I haven’t had this much of fun in lords knows when. he said. Yeah me too. ma replied. After we all settled down too some pork cracklings that pa had cook earlier in the back yard, Teka and I decided to play in the chicken coop for a while. I was sort of hesitant about going in there to play. C’mon. she called. I don’t thank I won’t too go in there. I replied. Oh c’mon scary cat! she shouted while pulling me along. Ok. I said. You’re still thanking about what happen the last time. Teak replied. Yes I am. If these things get wound up I’m running out of there. Even though they look too be pretty calm. I replied. Ooh... ooh.. There go one. Look like the closer we get too them, the more wound up they get. I replied. Their hungry that’s for sure. Teak said. She took a hand full of chicken feed and threw all over the coop. there they all came running in all directions. I than hurried to the door just in case one tried too get to me. Teak followed behind me. As we left out of the chicken coop, I could here mom and Aunt Sarah talking about going into Town to do some shopping. As we open the old raggly screen door that lead too the kitchen, mom and Aunt Sarah was standing in the kitchen talking, while Teka and I were heading for the room. You girls go get dressed. We’re going in town. mom yelled. Teka pulled out a

pretty pink and white dress and a pair of pretty patent leather white shoes with bows on them. Those were the prettiest shoes that I had ever saw; especially by them being bought in the country. Mom had came into the room and laid my old sun dress out on the bed. Those are some pretty shoes Teka. Where did you get them from? mom asked. My mom got them for me at Ms Patty’s boutique. she gave them too mom for me. Mom does all sorts of work for her at the tailor shop. And she also gave me the dress too. she said. Looks like she’s got some pretty clothes in her boutique. I replied. Yeah, but expensive. Teka replied. Mom came back into the room. You girls ready yet. Oh Teka, don’t you look so cute in that dress. mom replied. Well thank you aunt Lillian." she said. Mom start combing our hair and had laced the both of our hair with bowrrets and ribbons too match our clothes that we had on.

Chapter 3

A Tour Around Town

Upon arriving in town we stopped by the boutique that Ms. Patty owned. Hi Patty! said Aunt Sarah. Well hello Sarah. Ms. Patty replied. I’d like for you too meet my sister and niece. This is Lillian my sister and her daughter Tricia. Aunt Sarah replied. Hi, it’s a pleasure too meet you. mom replied. And it’s a pleasure meeting you all too. she said. Hay, I have all styles of dresses that may can fit you all. Just look around. Ms Patty replied. Teka already know that when she came here with her mom too head for the dress area to pick one out for her too ware. Your aunt had done so much of good work for me. By the way, Sarah, I have some old bows too give too you to hold until next week. Ms Patty replied. Good, I am really looking forward too sewing these bows on the dresses that are in stock. Are maybe I could take them home and start on them sometime this week and show the girls how too sew too. said Aunt Sarah. Yes that’ll be just fine. she replied. I’ll come back for them after I come from showing them around town. aunt Sarah replied. You all are ready to go? she asked. All ready to go. mom replied. Mom had already helped us to pick out some dresses at Ms Patty request and was browsing around the boutique. You have such a fine selection of clothing in your boutique. mom replied while Ms. Patty was putting the girls dresses in the suit bags. Well thank you Ms Patty for the girl’s dresses. mom replied. And remember it’s on me. Ms Patty replied. Oh know Ms Patty, now how do you expect to make a profit round here by Giving! Giving! Giving! mom said. With the type of help that Sarah bring too my shop, family is always free. she said in a cheerful tone of voice. And once again thanks for the dresses. By now. mom replied. By, I’ll see you all when you get back. she said. Ma and Aunt Sarah than pulled off in the car to head for the old country road that led too a pasture that mom and Aunt Sarah said use to be an old grave yard sight. This was where my great, great grandparents was buried somewhere in the eighteenth century, which was sold and now is just a regular piece of land that was own by and old couple. As we drove in the drive way of the field, mom and Aunt Sarah was trying too decide what side they were buried on. Ok its here. Aunt Sarah said. She stopped the car and we all go out. Ok its here. ma replied. No it’s over here on the other side ma.  Remember Mr. Sand kept the old head stone on it. Teka replied. Oh yeah, it is here. ma replied. Just as mom was about too kneel down to read the inscription on the stone, an old white headed elderly lady had come out of the house. Howdy you all. she said with a wispy tone of voice. Hi Ms. Sands. I’d like you too meet my sister and niece. aunt Sarah replied. Nice too meet you. Ms Sands replied while shaking mom’s hand. I just came too show them the grave site of our past grandparents. said Aunt Sarah. Well I told you all were always welcome too visit. So how’s things down at the boutique been going Sarah? she asked. Just fine Ms. Sands, and as a matter of fact, Patty is thanking about opening a second store in the heart of town. aunt Sarah replied. Oh no, that girl is doing that good. she replied. Yes she should be opening in the middle part of August; a month before school starts. Aunt Sarah replied. That’s just so wonderful, I am glade too hear she’s doing good. You know she don’t even call me no more. Maybe she’s been too busy to call. I did not know if she was still around." Ms. Sand said laughing.