Philly Days Continued...

Again I wish I had photos of the people that I am remembering from my days in Philadelphia. As stated in my previous post. I worked at an art framing shop on Walnut Street. I worked for a very nice Jewish man who befriended every stray dog (or person) who came to him.

I feel compelled to write about one of the stray people that hung around the shop. The reason I feel compelled is so that someone remembers him. His name was Nesty. Short for Ernesto. He was an adorable 80-ish short Italian man. He would make his rounds on Walnut Street visiting different businesses during his day. We jokingly called him the king of Walnut Street.

He was always dressed sort of dapper and wore a hat. I don't remember him talking about having a family or children, so partly I want to write about him so that he is remembered.

He would come in to the store and sit in one of the chairs we had that mostly were for friends of the owner who came in to chew the fat. Nesty was a little lonely I think. He told me of his girlfriend who had Alzheimer's. He told me that she was a true lady. She wore Feragamo shoes and was always dressed to a tee. He said she was always a lady until the Alzheimer's. He said she would get a bit mean and say hurtful things that she would never have said before the disease. He once gave me a couple of gold bangles that were hers. I was truly honored.

Nesty loved peppers and egg sandwiches. He would sometimes eat his lunch in the shop and he would always say that the other old guys he knew always wanted his peppers and eggs.

I'm not sure where he actually lived. I assumed it was someplace downtown and that it might have been a senior living facility.

I must say that I don't know what became of him. Because this was over 20 years ago he may be deceased.

I would like to say that when you meet an older person who wants to talk. Give them a little time and consideration. They may be alone and lonely and you may be the only person that has spoken to or acknowledged their existence that day.

Nesty, I'm not sure if you ever had children, but please know you are remembered by someone. Happy Fathers Day and God bless you where ever you are.