In some First Nations languages, the word "Auntie" is the same as the word "Mother".
Indeed.
On May 29th, 2009, the classiest, and most dignified woman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing (and, being related to), grew her wings and danced her way into the spirit world.
After my own Mom died, in October of 2007, Auntie Anne Marie, along with her husband, my Uncle Charlie, (who will be lovingly referred to from this point on as AAM & UC) stepped in and made the most wonderful effort to care for me like parents would.
They attended our wedding in Las Vegas, and with their daughter (my beautiful and thoughtful cousin), Kirsten, made sure I had something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. AAM seamlessly took over the role of "Mom", called me "My Girl" and made sure we had somewhere to go for Christmas and other holidays, and was generally exactly what I needed, when I needed it.
She sent our kids fun things in the mail, and, because she was the most thoughtful person ever to live, made photo collages for us of all of the travelling we did together.
This last January, we were able to holiday with AAM & UC in Las Vegas for a week. How happy and lucky we all were to have made all of those memories before we knew of her illness, and prior to her illness setting in.
The memory that is front and formost in my mind at this very moment was with AAM when we were in the Paris Resort and Casino.
I literally dragged AAM into the washroom (which was empty, except for us) and told her to pick a stall, sit down, and listen.
I had discovered, minutes previously, that in the washrooms, over the sound system, in Paris Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, they teach you how to say dirty things in French while you are...um....sitting...in the washroom.
When AAM realized what it was she was listening to, she opened the stall and hung onto the door for support, she was laughing THAT HARD.
She fell into my arms and we had a hug, in the washroom, and just laughed together.
How I miss her already.
Safe journies, AAM. My lovely, most cherished Aunt.
2 comments:
I am so sorry - sorry that this happened at all. Sorry for unfairness and gross reality. Sorry that you're family has a lost another fabulous woman.
But I am also grateful - that I was privileged enough to have known your Auntie Anne Marie, and shared in the warmth, and love - and acceptance she offered so genuinely.
I am also so moved by your strength and wisdom to both accept and honor the life and death of AAM as she deserves. She wouldn't rest with it any other way.
How proud she and your mother must be looking on!
What grace you posses. What a legacy they have left.
xo
All of my deepest sympathy and love,
Andrea Granger
(pretend Merle - who -also rocks - alittle bit)
I am just reading this now, Lise, for the first time. And I'm crying. I love you so much.
And Andrea - what special words you have shared.
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