Studs Terkel Passes

Here's my Studs Terkel story:

My "Aunt Elfy", a feisty woman in her eighties, lived alone in a non-descript high-rise on Marine Drive during the mid 1990s. She had lived alone for a long time after the death of her husband of several decades. She loved classical music and often listened to Stud's radio show. Aunt Elfy was not in good physical shape, but she managed her own affairs and took the CTA bus here and there for necessary appointments. Friends and family would not dare imply that she could use some assistance and a slip on the ice or an occasional fall only made her more resilient.

I visited her now and then at her small apartment - not often enough. Though she was a fine pianist in her time, age and arthritis had taken their toll. But when the spirit moved her, she tickled the ivories with passion. We argued warmly about classical music and she laughed when I (often) mispronounced the name of a famous composer. She was a prolific baker and I always indulged.

She told me, during numerous chats, of seeing Studs Terkel on the CTA bus and his usual practice of taking a seat next to her. They talked about music, Chicago, Israel and perhaps growing old. She had never met Studs before these shared rides, but she enjoyed his company immensely and a warm smile came to her face when she spoke of their chance encounters.

About a decade ago, I came to her apartment for the final time. A police notice was hanging from the door. Aunt Elfy died quietly, as quietly as she had lived. Her dream, beside being reunited with her husband, was for peace in the Middle East.

Studs Terkel recently passed on, at the ripe age of 96. I have read that Studs had wished to live long enough to see Barack Obama elected President.

Let's hope that their dreams and wishes will unite... Godspeed