Heaven Has a New Angel...

On Wednesday afternoon, my family had to say goodbye to my dear Aunt Jean as she lost her battle with Cancer. She was my mother's oldest sister.

My fondest memories of my Aunt Jean are from when I was a child. I would spend a week during the summer with my Grandparents on their farm in Southern Missouri. On one of the days I was there we would drive into town to run errands and we would go by my Aunt Jean and Uncle Melvin's house. Now, they lived on a farm too....but they had a HUGE beautiful brick home....bigger than I'd ever seen as a child. It had a huge screened in porch in the back to play on, however, my favorite place to play was in the attic. The attic was huge and had tons of toys that my Aunt kept around for her grandkids. I would play while my Aunt and Uncle visited with my Grandparents. Then as you do in the country.....we'd eat a huge meal called Dinner, which is lunch to us 'suburbanites'.....because in the country you eat supper at dinnertime.

One day when I was there she was making homemade apple butter in a crockpot. I had never had apple butter before, let alone smelled it cooking. I was in heaven!!!! I got the recipe from her and had my mom fix that stuff for us until I couldn't stand to smell it anymore. Although, that was a long time ago.....and it may be about time to make some again.

She was a hard working woman with a heart of gold. She had a very unique laugh. If I heard it in a crowded room I could have easily picked her out. It was infectious!

These pictures were taken at one of our family reunions several years ago. I remember we were blowing bubbles and one landed on her sleeve and just rested there. Jean did not like to have her picture taken, but because of that bubble, I was all up in her face with my camera. She was a pretty good sport that day.

Uncle David, Aunt Jean, Mom (back row); Aunt Karen and Aunt Mary (in front)

My Aunt Jean surrounded by her granddaughter, her daughter and her sisters.

Note to Zander:

I was able to go see Aunt Jean last weekend. You stayed with your Aunt Kim and played with Dara. I was very lucky as it was Aunt Jean's last good day where she was awake and talking. I was able to hug her and tell her that I loved her. I wanted you to know that she specifically asked about you. She wanted to see my "beautiful boy".