Tuesday, March 1, 2011

DEAR AUNT VERA


May 2006
My Aunt Vera died this last weekend.  She was kind of more like a grandmother than an aunt in a way.  Her house was one that whenever my sister, brother and I were there, we were adored and doted on.  Hugs were plentiful and rules were few.  This was not a place where children were seen and not heard.

There was a porch swing there...yellow if I remember right.  (And it is for this reason and this reason alone, that my dream home will have a porch with a swing on it).  There was an entire drawer full of colors, a plentiful supply of coloring books and the encouragement to date and sign every picture completed, as though it were a work by Picasso himself.  There was a playhouse there with pots and pans and dishes and utensils.  And one of the very best things that was there were the barbie doll clothes...little handmade clothes that my cousins had sewn.  Fancy dresses, coats with fur, matching pajama tops and bottoms....everything you could imagine.

But most of all there was love.  This was a place where a little girl could say something as seemingly rude as,
"This sure is a gooder dinner than you usually fix Aunt Vera" and not be in trouble, but instead be the star of the story that was told over and over again.  (Much to my chagrin during the awkward teenage years but now appreciated so much!)  This was a place where we were cherished. 

However, I think Aunt Vera's most important legacy is her children.  She was left alone to raise them after her husband died.  5 young girls, my cousins....Jerryl, Janny, Joye, Jane and Julie.  I'm sure there were plenty of very, very difficult times for them, there had to be, but she did something right with them.  I don't think I have ever met, in one family, 5 more wonderful women.  Loving, loyal, each creative and talented in their own way, friendly, interesting and funny....all of them making the world a better place just by being here!  They have honored their mother by lovingly caring for her, especially through these last few difficult years. 

So Aunt Vera, good-bye for now.  Your smile, laughter and hugs will be missed.  You were loved.  You will not be forgotten.

4 comments:

Rhonda said...

Ditto! ! You expressed my thoughts too.

Julie said...

Sherilyn, this was very nice to read. It brought back a lot of memories for me too. The porch swing, and the play house and the love of my mom and my wonderful sisters. We looked forward to the times when Uncle Clair and Aunt Joyce were coming. we loved playing with Sherilyn, Rhonda and Bradley. Thank you for writing this. You have a great talent.

Jane said...

Sherilyn, This was beautiful. Thank you for writing it. As Julie said, you were a huge part of our lives and Mom really did look forward to seeing you guys and having you there with her. She loved your mom and dad and you kids very much, as her own.YOu really do have a special talent. Thank you. I love you very much. Jane

Unknown said...

i'm so sorry for your loss! i know how hard it is to see this generation pass...we only have two left to treasure on bill's side of the family...