Remembering Lowell from Afar

By Despo Baltoumas

Although I live far away my mind goes back to a familiar corner in Lowell. Two floors above the tailor shop, I looked out the window to Suffolk and Broadway.  Below me all kinds of people were walking by.  At a young age I realized that there were two kinds of people-the Greek people like my mother and father and the others.  These others were called xenei. The xenei belonged in Lowell my parents and their friends that made their way to the red bricked factories came from far away.  That place did not have all that Lowell did.  I thought about it as I looked over at the Giant Store.  Meanwhile I admired the colorful Demoulas sign, and the cobblestone city hall decorated so beautiful at Christmas. Pretty lights on the same. that amazing clock tower.  If only I could walk up those stairs.  Nothing has ever felt the same.

****

Despo Baltoumas grew up in the Acre, the daughter of Greek immigrants. Although she lives elsewhere now, her heart has always belonged to Lowell.