A Letter to my Aunt

Dear Aunt A___,

This morning I heard about your passing last night. After being so independent your whole life, struggling with an illness that made you dependent on others had to have been of the hardest things to accept. In my mind’s eye, I always see you as independent, strong, caring, giving, smart, generous, and kind. You were hell on wheels and a force to be reckoned with, but at the same time you were the sweetest, kindest, most caring person.

Dad respected and loved you. Whenever he  talked about you, there was always this light in his eyes, and I could tell that he was remembering times spent with you when he was growing up–happy times, good times. Those times when you, and/or Uncle L___ taught him how to fish, to hunt, when you were plowing the fields or when you showed him how or helped him. Those times, I know, will help him through this sad time.

I remember how generous of spirit you were. You treated me and J___ like we were blood family not Dad’s step-children. You talked to us like we were our own persons not just little children. You treated every single one of us with respect and kindness. For that I am most thankful, because you made us feel welcomed when we were finding our place in a new family. Like Dad, you always saw us as family and I felt that deep inside where it mattered.

For over 38 years you have been a part of my life, my family, and that’s almost all of my life. I remember being 8 years old and going to visit Dad’s family for the first time and feeling awkward, excited, shy, and hoping that everyone would like us but being scared. We’d suffered such a great loss when our father died at such a young age, and had been so blessed when Mom met your brother and he became our dad, and we gained such a wonderful family with members like you.

Thank you Aunt A for always being such a wonderful example and role model. Thank you for embracing us as family. Thank you for being so kind, generous, compassionate, and independent. You are missed and loved.