My Aunt |
The children born to those folks are now the the "old" generation ... um, I am one of them, but there aren't many of us. We once were an averaged sized family group, where get-togethers saw more than 30 people.
What's left of us now is a small group: the eldest is in a nursing home, one is a member of the Salvation Army and we haven't seen him in many years; and the last three (including myself, my sister and my recently deceased aunt's son) are all that's left.
With her young son. |
With her siblings. |
My grandmother would have none of the doctor's "say-so" and wrapped her new daughter up in a blanket, put her in the biggest roast tin she had, opened the oven door and set the tin on the door of the oven. My aunt must have had a very big will to live, because against all odds, she survived. She was the fourth of the five children - two older sisters, one brother, her, and then my mother.
Wither her mother. |
He was caught in a travel ban while in Scotland and couldn't return to Canada for a few years, so my grandmother raised the family on her own, working in the homes of wealthy families as a cleaner; she took in laundry and sewing repairs; she took in roomers and did anything she could to keep the family fed and clothed. I guess they were poor by our standards, but they never were hungry and always had a roof over their head, clothes on their backs, and shoes on their feet.
A graceful air. |
She raised her kids to believe that sharing what you had, no matter how little you had was just the thing to do. She figured that people needed to look out for each other, and she taught her kids to do the same. And Aunt Marg believed in that too. I can't tell you how many times she simply gave us (and other family members) things she could have sold, or asked payment for, but never did.
As children, young women, and matriarchs, my aunt and my mother were the closest of the siblings. All the old pictures I've found always have the two of them together - two peas in a pod, two devils of mischief.
My mom and my aunt, throughout the years. |
Her son. |
A Scottish War Vet & Husband |
Their son grew up to be a fine young man and an even finer "older man", served his country in a different way (a little more "locally" than his "dad" did), he met a pretty young woman, married and had a son of his own (who is also married now).
Goodbye for now, but we'll meet again! |
She touched the lives of everyone she met - in a good way. Once retired, she spent part of her life doing volunteer work; she thought good of most people, overlooked their faults and was kind and generous to everyone.
I loved her, and I'll miss her.
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