Iannuccilli: Downtown with Mom at Christmas
Monday, December 16, 2019
My excitement grew as we walked from our home on Wealth Avenue to the bus stop on Academy Avenue. Mom was taking me to downtown Providence. It was Christmas, and I was as excited as the first time that Dad took me to Fenway Park to see The Red Sox.
I stood on the curb, leaning, watching and waiting. The bus arrived with a screeching hiss, its’ doors whisked open. I bounded on and sat with my forehead and nose pressed against the cold glass, drawing a Santa in the steam. The bus swung around the corner onto Atwells Avenue and climbed Federal Hill, stuttering to several stops along the way.
We left the bus at LaSalle Square, walked by the Majestic Theater, the White Tower and the City Hall Hardware Store where there was a toy department. My feet were dancing, toys spinning in my head. “Later, Edward.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTTides of people strolled through the streets with a purpose, admiring the windows and stopping to chat, sharing their day. “What did you buy?” “Very nice.” “Have you eaten?” “Where?” “Coffee?”
I shifted as they spoke of dresses and shoes. “C’mon, Mom.” I tugged. She pulled me from store to store, exchanging the commotion of the city --cars, busses, walkers and talkers -- for the muted sounds from the stores, the smell of clothes, wood and the pine of Christmas decorations.
For eleven months of the year, the stores’ windows changed regularly with new fashions and seasonal displays. This was different. It was Christmas stuff, and I was thrilled.
We passed Gladdings, Kennedys, Shepherds (meet you under the clock) to Woolworth’s, cutting through Pie Alley, stopping to look, maybe to buy, Mom never letting go of my hand. Finally, we arrived at The Outlet Store.
The windows were alive with Christmas … toys, clothes, dolls, Santa, stirring puppets, a whirling train, and animated elves. Inside was my visit with Santa (I had been to the toy department, so I knew what I wanted). From the grab bag, I plucked a bag of goodies, one of them a Chinese finger trap.
At the end of our Saturday, before heading home, we made our way to The Hon Hong Restaurant where steamy aromas filled the air, and the mystery of fortune cookies filled my mind. Mom ordered our evening meal and toted it, along with her other bags, home on the bus.
As we passed Federal Hill, I saw the beginnings of the late afternoon ritual of people streaming out of their homes to stroll, talk and to buy. The pushcarts were out. Red and green lights filled the air. “Here Comes Santa Claus” was playing in the background.
I was tired, full enough of downtown with its noises and distances, and I was hungry. But I felt so good, so happy, so eager.
More than window displays, Santa, the grab bag, smells, and decorations, there were people. That’s what made it fun. That’s what made Christmas. It was the people.
Downtown Providence at Christmas was the place.
Ed Iannuccilli is the author of "Growing up Italian" and "What Ever Happened to Sunday Dinner?" and "My Story Continues" can be found here.
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