6/4/08

Daisies Are a Girl's Best Friend!


Today we celebrated my Auntie’s 89th birthday. I took her fresh daisies from our yard and met my other Aunt and cousins at her home.

I have great memories of my Auntie, as a little girl, because I’d stay at the old farmhouse with her. She never married and she took care of the house and cooked the meals while my grandparents ran the farm.

I’d climb up the creaky staircase into the mysterious upstairs, to go into my Auntie’s bedroom. The bed was always made perfectly and not a piece of clothing was out of place (unlike my bedroom!). Her room smelled like roses as I’d lift the lid to her dusting powder and take a few whiffs. I can still hear the “tick-tock” of her alarm clock by her bed. I can feel the hardwood floors shift, as I’d step from rug to rug. I’d go into her old bathroom and see the claw foot tub and the pedestal sink – drip drop, drip drop.

I was very little, but I loved spending the night with Auntie. Not only did I get to hang out and have fun with her (sometimes we’d go shopping and she’d buy me special things), but also I’d also get to sleep with her in her double bed. Now I remember my own mother complaining about how I’d kick her, if we slept together. But my Auntie never complained.

She bribed me one year to stop sucking my finger. My finger was my best friend, and I did not want to give it up. But instead, she took me to the store and bought me a cute little dolly with white hair. She told me that I would get warts on my nose (I sucked my index finger and rubbed my nose with my middle finger) if I did not stop. Between the horror of warts on my nose and a brand new dolly – I quit sucking my finger at the age of 6.

My Auntie was an excellent cook. We all loved to eat her dishes. But the favorite that my sisters and I still talk about was her shrimp salad and homemade Thousand Island dressing. Our mouths still water when we remember the tastiness of it.

Since Auntie never married she really doted on her nieces. She’d take us all to lunch, at different times. She came to our weddings, baby showers, and holiday dinners.

No, she did not live a life of loneliness as a single person. She was active and traveled and gave a lot to her church and to people around her.

Even today, she said, “I sure love my nieces and my sisters!” And we sure love our Auntie.

As I look at her hands around this vase of daisies, I’m reminded of her hands that once held me – with a hold that was loving and firm.

18 comments:

ellen b. said...

So sweet. Look at those great hands of hers.

Shellie said...

What a great life and wonderful memories she gave you.

~j~ said...

what beautiful memories you have to share Sandy. I absolutely adore the way you love and care for her.
Happy Birthday to you Auntie!
j

Renna said...

What a sweet, sweet post. How blessed your Auntie is to have nieces that adore her, and how blessed are you nieces to have had her in your lives.

I love that close up picture of her hands wrapped around the vase of lilies.

Kirstin said...

Oh, your description of her house brings back memories of my grandmas and great grandmas homes. I'll have to share about that on my blog sometime.

Darla said...

What a great Aunt you have. My Aunt (Dad's sister) was my best adult friend for many years. She was the one I would talk to, and even listen to occasionally (smile) during those teen years when I didn't always want to talk to my Mom.

Every girl needs an Auntie.

Darla

tammi said...

You've SO taken me down memory lane!! I've got many similar memories of visiting my grandparents on their farm ~ and my one aunt's off-limits hippy bedroom that was SO-O-O-O cool with the bead curtains and purple walls with the huge, brightly coloured flower decals all over the place. That aunt is still single, too, and has taken it upon herself to be the unoffical guardian of the family. She's got 6 brothers and 6 sisters and their families, and she takes a special interest in each and every person.

Sounds just like your auntie! (well, maybe minus the hippy part, haha!) But then, depending on which side of the family we're talkin', they could actually be related!!!

Michelle @ Sew-Krafty said...

Absolutely precious!!
This so reminds me of my grandmother...especially the hands. Maybe I NEEDED a good cry today.

Anonymous said...

those are wonderful memories. Wish her a happy birthday!

Jill said...

Sandy, what a great post for an obviously wonderful lady! Happy Birthday to your Auntie!

linda t said...

What a precious great-Aunt! You are so blessed to have her in your life.
Love the pic of her hands. I so appreciate the beauty of worn hands.

OKGardners said...

What great memories. You are both fortunate to have each other after all these years. She is about the age my Mom would have been - had she lived past her liver cancer.

She sounds like a very special lady that gave love to everyone. She is a blessing ... just as YOU are!

Betty in Oklahoma

Rhonda said...

Sandy what a beautiful tribute to your Auntie and your relationship with her. How special it must be.

I love how you acknowledge her life as a single as not being less, just not-married, but still full!

Nadine said...

Happy Birthday to your Auntie. Wow she looks great, I would not have thought she was 89. What a great picture of you all around her.

GiBee said...

Wonderful memories! I am very close to one of my nieces and dote on her. I hope she has special memories of us like that when she gets older!!!

Kelli said...

Daisies are my favorite :)

Jen said...

Such a beautiful tribute to your Aunt.
I havent been by awhile because I haven't seen you post through Blogger...I need to pay more attention to your site...sorry.

the tattered nest said...

I love love love this post! I feel the same way about my nieces as your aunt does about you! you are blessed to have one another...I hope my nieces stay as close to me as you have to your sweet auntie..p.s. where do you buy your clothes? I love your style!