A LEGACY OF LOVE

There are people in this world who really make a difference, who help build you into who you are and guide you to what you want to be.  We are lucky to be touched by these souls and, when they are gone we honor them and keep their legacy alive by giving away what we're freely given.

I've always wanted to be known as the Best Aunt.  You know, the one who can give you things, take you on adventures, loves you for who you are and every once in a while, when you really need it, send you a little bit of money.

Mostly as the Best Aunt, I want to give memories, lasting memories that say, "You are loved for being who you are - unique in a world of many.  I love you for you!"

My Best Aunt died today and I will miss her even though it was her time - a long life well lived.   If you asked her, she would deny that her life had any special meaning.  Worse, she would have a list of what she thought were her "failings" - a gift of a very strict catholic (small case intended) upbringing.  For, in her mind, God welcomes only the perfect into heaven and leaving the sinners "suffering" in purgatory.

She was my Best Aunt.  She gave my sister and I a girlish refuge from our house of boys.  She never forgot a birthday or Christmas and never complained if we did not return the honor.  She was a feisty red head when it came to view point, particularly on some of the "untouchable" topics.  You did not want to do battle with her beliefs.  Yet, her home was always warm, open and loving.  So many memories of moments in time...

Her legacy is in her children, the love of her extended family and how she touched our souls.  She raised some awesome kids, my cousins - smart, kind, creative and as generous. And, what we do with that love is the gift we give back to her. 

I heard someone call a funeral a homecoming.  That sounds really nice.  You see, my Best Aunt was called home to God today to be surrounded by the loving arms of the family that went before her.   God does welcome the perfect into heaven... the perfectly, imperfect human.

Tonight, I will go out on the hill and talk to the stars and thank her, once again, for being my Best Aunt!  She will always have a warm spot in my heart...