Tuesday, October 23, 2007

In memorium

My aunt died today. She was in her early eighties. I first met her when I was about eleven. My mother had died and we moved across the country so that we lived very close by. She has one daughter who just happens to be four days younger than me (a fact that she never lets me forget).

This aunt was the one in the family that opened her house for the holidays for dinners, picnics, and whatever else came up. The holidays--Christmas and New Years--were stuctured so that one year was the family Christmas and in-laws Thanksgiving and the next year it was reversed. This was no small thing. I have seventeen cousins. Once we all started procreating, there was a population explosion. One of the last Christmases I attended, we had seventy people for a sit down dinner in the basement--at one big crazy put together table.

In the summer time, the kids would go out there and hang out on the giant sand dune across the street. In the winter we used the hill for sledding. It wasn't too far from the beach at Lake Michigan so we went swimming.

I have little vignettes in my mind from the different times I was visiting there. The first time I took my brand spanking new husband there for Christmas--we'd been married nine days. The first time I took my first baby there...he was three months old.

We moved two thousand miles away and weren't able to attend as often, but whenever we arrived we were always greeted with warm smiles.

Today my aunt died and the world is a little less for her passing.

Anny

Amarinda has the Saga today. Please stop by http://www.amarindajones.blogspot.com/ and check it out. Then pop on over to Kelly's blog for her words of wisdom at http://www.kkirch.blogspot.com/ . Blessings on your day.

11 comments:

  1. But how good was it to have her in your life fr as long as you did. Those are the things to hold on to. How lucky we are without even realizing it sometimes

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  2. {{{{{HUGS}}}}}

    I'm so sorry for your loss, darling Anny. My prayers are with you and your family.

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  3. Sweet Anny, you're ever in my thoughts. I'm so happy you have memories to cherish.

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  4. Seventeen cousins? Wow..you are blessed. Enjoy your memories, and share them often with your children and grandchildren. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

    Hugs:)

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  5. It tells a lot that you went to her everytime there was a major event in your life. Like a surrogate mother for you when you lost yours so young.

    You're in our prayers, hon.

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  6. Oh Anny,

    I'm so very sorry. You and all of your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope all of your wonderful memories will bring you comfort and peace.

    {{{HUGS}}}

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  7. I am in Indiana. It is raining here today, I am sure that is because it is crying for you and your loss. The world seems to know and respond when a passing of someone wonderful has happened.
    I am sorry for this loss you are having and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers

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  8. Anny,

    I have recently been introduced to your work through J. Roth (from the Crones site), and I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Loosing someone so dear is always hard.

    But your Aunt will always be a part of you and will live on inside of you. Let the grieving come, but also let all the happy memories come too, the ones that make you hold your sides laughing. I'm sure your aunt would appreciate that (70 for dinner!Yikes!) A great lady no doubt about that. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Best wishes, Ally (aka Lady Grey)

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  9. Thank all of you so much for your comments. I really appreciate them. Just want to say that between Thanksgiving and Christmas I'll be posting some of the stories from those holidays... including the one with seventy people. All of you are correct. Good memories are priceless.

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  10. Anny, I'm sorry for your loss. She sounds like she was just as wonderful a person as her niece. You're right. Memories are priceless and grow more valuable as time goes on. May you savor and keep each and every one of them.

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  11. Anny,

    I know that your Aunt and My Grandmother must be together in heaven and talking about how much they love thier families. Your Aunt sounds just like my Grandmother. It's been 15 years, and I still miss her, I still love her, and I still watch Golden Girls and remember her laughter.

    Praying that you too will eventually hear your Aunt's laughter and smile.

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