When I was thinking of what I’d like to share about Aunt Ginny, I realized that three words, pretty much sum up her life. Those words are Faith, Family and Friends. Her Faith made it possible for her to face each day and overcome the loss of her two sons, three husbands, and seven siblings. Her Faith was what she leaned on, when everything else failed.
Her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, step children, step grandchildren, nieces, nephews, step nieces, step nephews…..the list just goes on and on…..were all a part of the families that she successfully blended together. Regardless of where you fell in her family tree, you were her family….and she loved you warmly and deeply.
Her friends were extended family………people that we all grew to know because Aunt Ginny loved them like sisters and brothers. She depended on them, and they on her.
She was our Social Butterfly …..she never missed an opportunity to socialize whether it be a wedding, funeral, graduation, reunion, whatever. One Saturday night, she called (or I called her) and she told me how tired she was. I questioned what she’d done that day……and she was almost breathless as she said “I had 3 events today, and I had to run home and change clothes between each one.”
Several of us have taken road trips with her. Earlier this year, a cousin was coming from out-of-town and I told Aunt Ginny that they would come down and pick her up. She told me she would rather drive. I asked why and she said “Because I don’t like riding with anyone else”. I said “Well, Aunt Ginny you ride with me.” Her very indignant response was “Well, I keep my eyes closed.” (And, let me tell you….she could, and did, give driving instructions….even with those eyes closed.)
I’ve wondered how I am going to live without her….and those often, daily, phone calls. I’m going to sit….in the rocker….on my front porch….and I’m going to look, at the old homeplace….the house where she grew up. When the cicadas are singing, in chorus, in the trees……I’m going to remember her. I’m going to remember the fun times, the funny things she said and did…..and I’m going to be so glad that I was blessed with this wonderful aunt……..the one that I thought would live forever. And, like me, each of you have your special memories of times you shared. Those memories will see you thru the days to come.
For those we love remain with us, for love itself lives on, and cherished memories never fade
because a loved one's gone.
Those we love can never be more than a thought apart, for as long as there is a memory,
they'll live on in our heart.
