Special Ladies

I had the opportunity yesterday to spend a few hours with my Aunt Betty Ann. I was blessed as a child to have seven aunts: Ruth, my Uncle Don’s wife; Betty Jo, dad’s sister; Betty Ann, Juanita, and Carolyn, Mom’s sisters; Doris, Uncle John’s wife; and Clariece, Uncle Curtis’s wife. Betty Jo is in CA and Ruth, Doris, and Clariece are gone, but I still have the privilege of enjoying the company of Betty Ann, Juanita, and Carolyn from time to time. I must admit that I am a terrible niece and do not see any of them as much as I should or as much as I would like to but I think about them often and I am very grateful for the childhood memories I have of them. They were and are so good to me! Each taught me some very important things about life and about our family. And it is a precious gift to me now to have three people in my life who shared their life with my mother!

It’s sometimes amusing to think about the things that stay in your memory. My Aunt Ruth has been gone the longest and she was just one of the five wives that my Uncle Don had, so it’s probably incredible that I remember her at all. But I can clearly see her face and hear her infectious laugh and remember that she made pineapple chicken! Aunt Doris was one of the hardest working women I’ve ever known and she was always growing something or making something. She seemed to me to have such a peaceful spirit. It was always calming to be around her. Aunt Clariece was my funny aunt! Always amusing and surprising, she let us do things mom never would- stay up late, watch scary movies, eat junk food. Betty Jo was my doting aunt. I grew up with her and spent the most time with her. She spoiled me and entertained me and took me away from the drudgery of the farm as often as she could.

Betty Ann, Juanita, and Carolyn have always been my anchor aunts. They are my ties to mom, my link to  my grandparents, my spiritual mentors, my shining examples and faith and fortitude, my family story tellers, my advisors for any and all situations. I hope they understand just how important and precious they are to me! Each one is so special…

Comments

[Megan]

Wonderful.