Aunt Edith's Turn

My Great Aunt Edith was the last of a generation for our side of the family.  She buried her husband and his four siblings and their spouses.  Theirs was a generation that knew hard times and sacrifice and faith.  A generation who traveled by covered wagon and read by oil lamp and pulled together to win a World War against hatred and intolerance.  People who understood what it meant to love this country and watched the first man walk on the moon and drove the first wave of Model T cars. A generation so full of the hope and perseverance, lessons we all so badly need today.

Aunt Edith was, first and foremost, a lady.  Growing up, I was surrounded by a number of strong women.  And while she was no exception with regard to strength, she was quite different than my mother, grandmother, and other aunts.  She was quiet.  If you know my family, you understand why that stood out.  While my Gran frequently barked "Jody, you hush now, it's my turn to talk" while talking to my great uncle on the phone, I never heard Aunt Edith raise her voice.  She usually sat quietly, smiling, while all the talkers around her carried on.  She had no need to be the center of attention.

She had a calm presence, she always smiled, sat with her long legs perfectly crossed, and held a handkerchief in her hand. She wore polyester pants, always had her hair fixed, and made sure that no one in her presence ever went hungry.  I never heard her utter a curse word, but did hear her threaten to fix her son Craig's attitude a time or two.

She loved my Great Uncle Jody.  Which was probably quite a job given that he was the baby of the family and horribly spoiled by his mama and my grandma. They were married for over 60 years, after getting engaged at the Love Tree, on the ranch where they lived.  They raised two children. They held their great grandbabies and great, great nieces and nephews. They took every kid in the family fishing for cat fish at the tank in their yard. They danced at weddings and celebrated 100 years of the ranch being in our family, and enjoyed camping at the lake.

Hers was a life that set an example for us all, and leaves her remaining family members with shoes that cannot possibly be filled. 

And although we mourn today, I can just picture her sitting there quietly smiling as Gran and Uncle Jody argue over whose turn it is to talk now that she's arrived in Heaven.  Maybe this time, she'll join in and tell them, "Hush! It's my turn now."