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5/13/2016

2 Comments

 
This has been a pretty emotional roller coaster for a few weeks now. Three weeks ago, our Aunt Fran passed away. Aunt Fran is Danny’s maternal aunt.  She and Uncle Don welcomed us and our cats  into their home in Eaton thirty-one years ago.  We were both twenty-one, just married and looking to move out to Colorado, simply to make a change.  

We were married, had two cats and a Volvo sedan.  Aunt Fran and Uncle Don opened up their home to all of us.  They poo-poohed our idea to have the cats live in the garage.

Come to find out, our cats were still kittens.  They climbed their draperies, carried loaves of bread up to the second floor and hid those loaves of bread under their beds.  Aunt Fran and Uncle Don thought it was funny and charming.

Every night, after dinner and dishes, Aunt Fran and I would drink tea and watch MASH.  We laughed together.  Danny and Don were sometimes with us, sometimes they were in the garage or outside working.  We were family.  It was the easiest, most comfortable time of my life.

I felt loved, welcomed, and even more a part of Danny’s family.

We have so many memories.  The cats destroying thier house, while Aunt Fran laughed at their antics.  Uncle Don, who “hated cats” got down on all fours and rolled his round tin of chewing tobacco for the cats to play with.  

Yesterday, Uncle Don passed away.

When your favorite people pass, the memories flood you with pictures, images, laughter, and that indefinable feeling of how blessed we are when people impact our lives.  That impact could be in a flurry of a summer, or a lifetime.  Or a moment.  

Here is the apex of this roller coaster.  I have so much gratitude for Aunt Fran and Uncle Don.  They make me smile.  They made me laugh.  They were the most generous of souls I have ever known.  

Here is the floor of the coaster.  The world of beautiful souls who touch us, who make us think, feel, be loved, and who we lose.  

It is sad.  It is hard.  It is excruciating.  

Here is the hope.  People who touch our lives.  People who instruct our lives, who teach us to not be selfish.  People who teach us to be kind instead of right.  People who fight public or private battles but who do not complain.  Our friends and our family who teach us how to be better.

These people give us hope.  We can live in hope.  We can snatch the moments of love and hold them.

I am holding the love of Aunt Fran and Uncle Don.  I’m holding on to the lessons I learned from them about love and acceptance.  I’m treasuring their love and all they gave us.  

Tomorrow morning our community is coming together in love and support of our Happy Smackah, Frank Buck.  The Happy Smackah is a tangible way to grip the rope of love that binds us to reality.  I am grateful.  

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2 Comments
Gary and Mala Keene
5/14/2016 03:31:06 pm

I have few memories of them. All were pleasant.They were loved nationwide.

Reply
cindy blodgett
5/14/2016 04:55:48 pm

Karen,
I know how you feel Aunt Fran was my favorite, she had such a kind domineer. She was always so calm with her guidance, she reminded me a lot of Grandpa Harmon. I still have the last birthday card she sent me that she was able to write in. I have read it several times.
Did not see her often but talked to her on the phone many times we just piked up where we had left off .
Atleast they are together because I am not so sure Uncle Don could have gone on without Aunt Fran.They have been together for 63 years 64this July. Amazing.

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    6th grade language arts teacher at Westview Middle School in the St. Vrain Valley School District

    Old dog learning new tricks

    writer of fact and fiction

    educator of middle schoolers and self

    cat lover

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