MEMORIES OF MY AUNT

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Aim at heaven, and you will get earth thrown in; aim at earth, and you will get neither." - CS Lewis

Like most ENFJs, for an extrovert, I am highly private about many of my own personal experiences, feelings and struggles. It is a rare occurrence that I talk about them. I am much more likely to talk about an opinion or information than a feeling that is personal. This blog is a way for me to force myself to share more of myself with others, which I have come to see is healthy.

I recently found out that on Sunday night my Aunt Valerie left this world for the better one. Death at times is a hard thing to come to grips with. When a person is gone that has been around ever since you can remember or at the very least for a long time, it can be quite difficult to believe it is real.

My aunt was a good woman and I never bestow praise lightly. Not only was she educated and successful, but she was also caring and helped out family members whenever she could. Several years ago when my parents were struggling, she bought them a much needed new refrigerator. That is just one example.

I cannot say that I talked to her often in my life, as she lived on the other side of the country ever since I can remember. However all of my memories of her are fond, and the past several years I did have the opportunity to see her a few times. Every year at Christmas, she would send each of us money well into our adult years.

I will always remember her saying not long ago that she was proud of the young man that I have become. I'll keep that with me forever.

It was only recently that we all became aware that she had fallen ill with an extremely rare illness. Such things are often unpredictable and difficult to explain, but she left her mark by the love and kindness she showed others in this life...

and the very same she now receives in the life that is eternal.

Blessings-
Tony