In 1978 I moved to Ainsworth Avenue, in East Brunswick, New Jersey. It was a quiet dead end street on a hill. Once a year we would block off the street and have  block party. It was at one of these block parties that my son, Johnny, broke his collar bone, but that’s another story. I met Dolores Balsamo shortly after the move to Ainsworth Avenue. She was a remarkable woman. She had 6 boys, ranging in age from 18 to 7 and a little girl, Gina who was about 5. Dolores’ husband had passed away shortly after Gina was born. She took over the role of Mom and Dad and ran a tight ship. The family was close, they often did things as a group and so it was to be a group effort that brings me to tell this story. It was Mothers day, a bright warm Sunday afternoon when Anthony, the youngest boy came calling at my door. Being the youngest, Anthony was used to getting the ‘dirty’ jobs, but he knew I had a soft spot for him and he liked me, so he was comfortable being the messenger. “Mr. D, can you come up to our house for a few minutes”, Anthony asked me.

Aisnworth Ave, East Brunswick, NJ  ~1980

“The toilet kept running, it drove Mom Crazy, so we decided to fix it for a Mothers Day gift”, the boys explained.  “Except we don’t know how to get it back together,” blurted out Anthony.  After examining the parts, I told them we would need a repair kit, I could pick one up tomorrow after work and help them put it back together then.  There was silence, followed by a little pushing and shoving until finally someone said “Well we sort of need it working today”.  “Why,” I enquired, “you have three bathrooms in this house, surely you can make due with just two”.  About now, 6 boys were staring at the floor. Mumbling, mumbling then finally, some one spoke up. Well, you see we sort of decided it would be just as easy to fix all three at the same time.  My eyes got wide and I sprinted around the corner to the hall bath. Parts, parts and more parts all over the place.  “Don’t bother going upstairs Mr. D, just more of the same” came a voice.  I looked over in the kitchen and there was Dolores, washing dishes. She looked at me, smiled and said, “Happy Mothers Day Joe”. 

We drove to the local “Rickels”, a predecessor of Lowes. On the way over, I prayed they were open. The Sunday Blue laws kept a lot of stores closed in those days. They were open and we bought three toilet flush valve kits.  With the help of all six boys, and Gina,  we got the three toilets fixed and all were smiles, for about 30 seconds. Then there was the expected, pushing and shoving to get to use it first. 

I had a great time that afternoon. There was a lot of love in that house, a mother who put her kids first. And six boys who put their Mom first. They gave me a gift that day; they allowed me to be part of a wonderful family.

standing L to R: Anthony; Stephen, Peter, Joey, Michael
seated, L to R: Gina, Doloris, Rocky