My Favorite Aunt
I could say that today I lost my favorite aunt. Or, I could say that I lost my favorite aunt in November. Or I could say that I lost my favorite aunt January 3rd, 1999. Or, I could say that I have two favorite aunts still with me. You see each and every one of my aunts is my favorite because each one in her own way reminds me of my mother who left this world in 1990.
Today is my favorite Aunt Janice’s day. She died late this afternoon when her family realized that she would not recover from the severe injuries she received in a car accident yesterday. I have had the opportunity to talk to Aunt Janice once each week since I came home from the hospital in January. She has faithfully called me to see how I am doing and to chat for an hour. Now, this in and of itself is an unusual event, my aunt is not a chatterer, but for the last six months she has changed her pattern.
We had many interesting talks about many things. Recently, she was very concerned about her incredible back pain. I asked her if she had told her doctors about her polio. Silence—“no, I don’t believe I have. I’m all better they don’t need to know that”. I then tell her that my mom said that she just wished her doctor would listen to her that sometimes she felt like she had polio all over again. Aunt Janice told me that she just really didn’t remember anything about polio because she was so young when she had it. I told her that it certainly could be important to her medical history, and she should tell. But. that was my Aunt Janice when it was over it was over, and wasn’t important any more.
Another conversation we had was about my stay in the hospital and how hard it was for her to see me hooked up to so many I-Vs and machines. She then told me that she hoped I understood what she was going to say. She told me that she wanted to be as lucky as her sister Virginia and die like she did. My mother died in a chair with a tall glass of ice water at her side after she had spent the morning running errands, talking to her friends. Aunt Janice just about did it except her leaving was a bit more dramatic and a bit more tragic. But no less sudden.
These past few weeks my aunt had related that she was worried about her sisters, her brothers, me, her family. I told her that she shouldn’t worry about any of us that she needed to take care of herself and then, we would all be fine. Her sign off to me was always the same. “Be good. I’ll talk to you soon”. At the end of our last conversation, her sign off change, she said “I love you”.
I love you, too, Aunt Janice.
this is so unexpected and shocking.
i am really glad i got to see all of your aunts in cleveland just recently. we are so lucky to have them in our lives.
i’m sorry you’re feeling sad mom. i am too. i wish i could hug you, but just know i am sending you a long distance hug as best as i can.
katie
19 Jun 09 at 10:37 pm
so sad Ma. I am also glad I got to see Aunt Janice when we were in Cleveland.
MO
19 Jun 09 at 10:41 pm
Thanks for the timely reminder to drop a note to my favorite aunt in Florida, Gloria. There’s something about kind aunts that leaves every kid in their lifelong debt. They love you unconditionally, in ways you never forget, but which we should all pay forward by loving our nieces and nephews the same way.
John Ettorre
22 Jun 09 at 11:58 am
Aunts………….I have very few of them in my life………I wish I had more or at best, had the one back that has left this world. She grounded me and helped to straighten me when I strayed.
I’m very sorry to learn you have lost one of your aunts………..They can be much like a sister. And so much like a mother.
Please know that I’m thinking of you and can only hug you from afar
Patti
Patti
6 Jul 09 at 3:01 pm
I am sorry for your loss Gloria. Thank you for the reminder to appreciate our extended family.
lmcshane
7 Jul 09 at 1:33 am
Gloria, may she be of blessed memory. I know you have a wonderful and extensive family but losing even one member still feels like a lot, I’m sure.
Jill
9 Jul 09 at 8:36 pm
I LOVE MY AUNT FROM ALBEMARLE, NC.
Jon Lowder
2 Nov 09 at 2:06 pm
MY AUNT IS THE GREATEST IN THE ENTIRE WORLD….
JON LOWDER OF MONROE, NC
Jon Lowder OF MONORE, NC
2 Nov 09 at 2:07 pm
Gloria,
Thank you so much for the kind words about Mom. Sometimes we don’t realize how much we love some until they are. On the day Mom died I had to help make the most difficult decision I,ve ever made in my life. It was out of our love for her we decided not to keep her on life support. Mom made it clear many that she didn’t want to live on it. But it wasn’t until I went to the Chapel at the hospital, before I could make my mind up. I believe God was telling me to let go, he was calling His daughter home. It was alot easier on me to make that decision after that. It’s hard now though. I miss her terribly. But I have faith she’s in Jesus’s presence. I can’t wait to be reunited with her again. Again, thanks Gloria for the kind words. And yes we are blessed to have the family we have. Hope you guys have a Happy Thanksgivimg
Jack Snyder
23 Nov 09 at 10:36 pm
MY AUNT IS ONE OF THE MOST SPECIAL PEOPLE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD TO ME.
JON LOWDER
13 Dec 09 at 8:52 pm