To the Editor:
Walking along Kennedy Boulevard recently, I heard a melodious sound—whistling. A young boy sitting astride his bicycle multitasking, as he received responses while on his cell phone. The other party turned out to be his mother. A modern boy enjoying and sharing a lost art. I complimented him as I passed by; he thanked me. I was thankful to him for lifting my spirits. I turned back to ask where he acquired the talent, and he said he taught himself. Yes, his father whistled. He thought it amusing that I did not know how and offered to teach me, but I explained it’s is a hopeless case. As he was in front of the building where he lived, I suggested he call his mother back on his cell to come and speak to me as I wanted her permission to write to the Bayonne Community News about him. He was thrilled. Wow! But this modern boy with the old fashioned lost art chose to yell “Ma” up to their window and she appeared there and he translated saying it was easier in her language. Mina’s family is from Egypt. His mother was very sweet and consented to this letter. He never whistled songs per say and was surprised to realize he was able to – Happy Birthday and the National Anthem. I’m sure he has since increased his repertoire. Through the years, I’ve often recalled how I enjoyed hearing my father whistle, as well as other men strolling along or standing on the corner. A number of years ago, our Bayonne High School Principal Richard Baccarella would come through the bank doors where I worked whistling, as did the young man from the Avenue A Stop n Shop. I hope you will keep whistling Mina and always have a song in your heart.
DOROTHY PEREZ