Here are my Aunts and Uncles with their first radio. From left to right: Eugen, Aurel, Verona (holding the radio knob), a friend from the neighborhood behind her, Mircea, Aurelia and Eugenia behind her, another neighbor and my Grandmother with my Mom standing behind them. Notice the neighbor wearing radio headphones. Friends and neighbors would come and gather at their house to be amazed at the sound coming out of the box.

Uncles

L to R: Aurel, Mircia, Eugen

Aurel was a painter. Here he is with his wife and some of his paintings. When the communism took over he had to stop painting and was made to draw factories instead. But later, when they figured they could benefit from his talent, he was allowed to paint and sell his paintings with the government keeping most of what he made.

Mircia died very young in WW2. He was a motorcycle soldier who did not have much of a chance as they were sent to the front line.

Eugen married a Greek lady who was my Dad’s friend. Greeks were not very welcome in Romania so Eugen and my Mom would go out together and pick up their respective dates without their parents knowing. Eugen and his wife, Christina, were a very sweet and loving couple. Even after many years of marriage they would hide behind doors to kiss like two teenagers. When Christina died, I asked my Uncle how he was doing. He said, “Fine. Christina is here with me all the time. When I can’t find something I ask her where it is and she answers me.” 

Aunts

L to R: Marcela (my Mom), Aurelia, Eugenia and Verona

Verona had three sons but always wanted to have a daughter. After my Mom died she took over that role. She was very wise and became my ‘go to’ when I needed advice about life.