Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Aunt Helen, or "Hell" to me, always made me feel special, somehow she made me feel like her "favorite"! haha I know it's silly now but it gives a child a special feeling, a sense of self-esteem and of belonging. And I always felt that I was welcome and that I belonged when I was with Hell and Uncle Tom.
It's hard to separate my memories of Hell from Uncle Tom because to me, they were always together, almost one! They were a big part of my childhood and I spent many days at their house, or Nan's house, at Lions Lake, and occasionally on Uncle Tom's boat. I loved Easter morning when Lisa and I were dressed in our Easter dresses and bonnets, and Aunt Hell had Tommy and Mark in their suits. I have visions of our happy faces and can feel the memory clearly as we would take our annual Easter picture in front of Nan's house. New Years Day always ended at Hell and Uncle Tom's for Pepper Pot soup, clam chowder, and chicken & dumplings.
Later in life, having had my own kids, Hell and Uncle Tom would always make it a tradition to visit our house on Christmas Eve day, and give us a handmade ornament.
I treasure Aunt Helen and these memories. She and Uncle Tom helped to provide me a rich childhood, an extended family, and I will forever be grateful. I love you Hell. xoxxx
