Saturday, July 31, 2010

Memories of Aunt Louise

A couple of weeks ago, Aunt Louise (my mom’s older sister) left this temporary life to go to her permanent home in heaven. I had not seen her in a while, so many of my memories are somewhat old and faded. Yet, because of her great love for her family, she always kept up with everyone else. Not a single birthday, graduation or any other special event would pass without us receiving a card at the very least. To a young man on a very hectic schedule, these cards and occasional calls brought a certain sense of normality, like an anchor in a turbulent sea. Unfortunately, she was an anchor that I all too often took for granted.

Aunt Louise and my mother, along with five other siblings, grew up in a small farm house in a rural area of Northeast Texas. As a kid, I used to love to play around the old barn, then one day found out that this “old barn” was the home in which they were actually raised. It was only used as a barn after my grandparents later built another house on the land. This other farm house became the family gathering place for Christmas and other special occasions.

Louise and my mom were typical sisters, always arguing among themselves but fiercely loyal to each other, probably because they were so much alike. During family gatherings, my mom and dad would sometimes get into petty (often good natured) arguments, and Louise would almost always take my dad’s side (along with her youngest sister Claudene). I suspected she did this just to agitate mom, and it usually worked. You could tell my mom was perturbed when she started calling her “Norma Louise”.

Read the entire Memories of Aunt Louise article, including additional pictures.

4 comments:

  1. Dear cousin, Thank you for these beautiful words. I laughed and cried at the same time. It has been a tough year for our family, it not being a year yet since Daddy's passing. I so enjoyed your memories. Many I do not remember personally, being too young, but I love hearing the stories, especially about my Dad. This article was so comforting for me, as I hope it will be for others. Please feel free to contact me any time you have more priceless memories you would like to share. Thanks Again,
    Sandi Smith Crawford (daughter of Earl Smith)
    scrawford@valornet.com

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  2. Sandi, It's great to hear from you. Thanks very much for the kind words. Being "too young" certainly has its advantages, but one of the few good things about getting older is the memories that we store up, even if some are getting a bit fuzzy. I'll be talking with you.

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  3. I finally got up the nerve to read your blog. It took me a while. It was wonderful. I laughed and cried as the pictures brought back wonderful memories. I will never forget the day Donna and I got caught playing in those very nice dresses. Your mom really thought a lot of my daughter, Shelby, she was born on her birthday. It was very great to remember the good things about everyone. I feel we need to get together at a reunion instead funerals. This year has been difficult for me and our family. There are not words to describe the pain. Thanks for a look into the past to help remember the good and the actual place where our family is waiting for us.
    Terri Smith Olson
    terri.olson@dekalbisd.net

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  4. Terri, A reunion sounds great. I don't specifically remember the dress episode and I thought you never got into trouble. I do however, remember that Donna always seemed to be in trouble so I can believe it.

    I'm also hoping to post some more old family pictures in the photo section of the main website soon.

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