We will bury my Aunt Glory tomorrow. She is actually my Great Aunt. My Grandma is one of 12 children, I grew up with them. My Uncle and I are only 4 years apart. So my "greats", as we affectionately call them, are like regular ole' Aunts and Uncles. I have been blessed to have a first hand account from the greatest generation to walk this land. The trials and tribulations, the simple (and greatest) holidays and birthdays, the days of baking bread and going without. As they pass, one by one, I am saddened to no longer have their harsh, but love filled, advice...to have their stories silenced...to remind me what is right, what is wrong...what it is to love someone, not because they are just like you but because they aren't.
There are only four of them left. My Uncle Hen, Aunt Ruth, Aunt Mary Jane and Grandma. My Uncle Hen's eyes light up when he sees my daughter, Aunt Ruth is becoming frail and forgetful, Aunt Mary Jane always called me watcha majigger (she lives in TX now) and my Grandmother is the most gentle, God fearing, strongest woman I've ever known. Her strength shown through when, as a child, I sobbed next to the casket of my Great Grandma (her mother) as she comforted me...but showed her gentleness as I wrapped my arms around her at the pulpit while she cried at the loss of her sister this Sunday.
5 comments:
This is beautifully written, Carolyn. I thought of the same thing as I addressed graduation announcements this weekend. So many of them used to be a "Mr. & Mrs." and are now just one or the other, and there are too many people in my address book who are gone. I just try and remember how lucky I am to have had so many people in my life worthy of being missed.
I'll be praying for you and your family today.
Carolyn What a beautiful posting. To me life is like a Rose so beautiful to see and smell but to handle can be painful. BUT would we want to do without the rose just because it can be painful NEVER! Enjoy your garden of roses my friend. My heart goes out to you and your family for the temporary lose of one of your roses!
Hugs
Such a beautiful tribute to your family. I'm sorry for your loss.
Where did you ever learn to write so eloquently?? Yes, we are truly blessed with the large family we have and when each of their time comes it's painful ... but we will ALWAYS have the memories of the GOOD TIMES to share.
Your tribute is beautiful my dear and I'm so proud you are my daughter! God Love Ya!!
Just beautiful Carolyn. Made me cry.
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