A Time to be Thankful ~ Day 19 My Aunts

A lot of my thankful posts have been about my uncles that are so dear to me.  But honestly, I am truly thankful for everyone in my family - from my parents to my distant cousins.  Since I have no brothers or sisters, my Aunt Liz, and Aunt Donna, and Uncle Wayne were like my siblings growing up. We are close in age and even went to school together.  We had some rugged years.  Since I was the first grandchild...Grandma's favorite..there was sibling rivalry!  I was bullied often by Uncle Wayne.

Aunt Liz and Me

Although we fought like sisters do, Aunt Liz helped me a lot during my teenage years. My family and I had a tough time after my Grandma passed away, who meant the world to me.  I was so thankful that Aunt Liz and her daughter, my cousin Christy Michelle, was around to help distract me from Grandma Jean's passing, even if it was through fighting.  Aunt Liz always had hidden goodies to eat at her house and got me school clothes when she could.  I always thought she was so pretty but I envied the closeness she and my mom shared.  She is always able to make me laugh and will help me out whenever she can.  She inherited Grandma's great cooking and makes the best biscuits and gravy....and Fudge!  There is no one quite like my Aunt Liz!!  Like my mom, Aunt Liz doesn't share her emotions to much.  She doesn't sugar coat things and tells you like it is.  We don't get to see each other very often since I moved to Houston.  Regardless of time and space, that bond is still there whenever we do visit.

Aunt Donna and Me

Aunt Donna was one of the reasons I was able to move to Houston.  She got me my 1st plane ticket to Houston.  We became pen pals after she left KY.  As a teenager, I couldn't wait to get a letter from her.  She always made me feel important and special.  I have always admired her independence and courage to leave those hills.  Donna and I bonded much more when I moved to Houston.  If it had not been for her allowing me to invade her space many summer months during those college years, I don't know how I would have made it.  I wonder if I would have stayed in KY.  I could never thank her enough for letting me stay with her so many times. These years in Houston have allowed us to grow just like sisters.  Her stubborn independence and caring personality is something I admire.  She enjoys being the caretaker and being there for people.  Both her and Aunt Liz have such a sense of humor.  I think that is a gift all of us in the family seem to have.  Humor has always been our way of being distracted from the troubles and stress in our life.

In 1984, my Aunt April, my mom's sister who she was the closest to, and her family spent Christmas with us.  It was the first time I had met her family.  She had visited when I was younger but I had no memory of her.  I am grateful that next Christmas that my Grandma Jean was able to be with all of her children and grandchildren on what was her last Christmas. I don't get to see much of Aunt April who lives in Cincinnati, Ohio but thanks to Facebook, we are just a click away now.

My Aunt Minerva

The first and only wedding I attended as a child was when my dad's youngest sister, Minerva, got married.  My Grandma Ethel shed some tears but I think they were tears of relief more than anything.  I am sure she hated seeing her youngest girl being married off.  My Aunt Minerva is a unique character!  Her and her husband are truly made for each other and have been married since 1976.  Aunt Minerva is hearing-impaired and has a speech impediment. Being the youngest daughter of the family, my Grandma Ethel spoiled her rotten. She is stubborn as a mule but has a heart of Gold!  She knows no stranger but just don't make her mad.  She has temper that could fuel a fire.  I think what I love most about my Aunt Minerva is her sense of innocence. She has joy with the simple things - especially doughnuts!   I love being with my Aunt Minerva and her big brother Gobel Jr. when I go home to visit KY.

My love for my aunts, including my sweet Aunt Becky and Aunt Shirley, can't simply be described in a blog entry.  I could write a chapter or two on what they mean to me.  Our aunts seen you mature from a snotty nose cry baby, as my Aunt Donna use to call me, to full grown and hopefully a mature responsible person.   Some of them fill in the broken gaps of our lives.  Be grateful for your Aunts or those family members who make you feel special! :)