Monday, May 13, 2019
One of my most cherished childhood memories involves my Aunt Marion ~ it was during the first funeral I ever attended - that of my grandfather who lived next door to us. I was 11-years-old and an emotional mess. At the funeral home, I couldn’t be in the room for the viewing. It was heartbreaking to see him ... and I wondered why people were buried with clothes on; it seemed like such a waste.
Anyway, Aunt Marion volunteered to sit with me (on a green upholstered bench). She had a box of tissues and she put her arm around me and told me it was okay to cry. (No one had ever said that to me before). I remember her hair and make-up were PERFECT. She was so put together ~ probably the most “on-trend” person there! Blonde Afro-esque hair (this was 1975), and a beautiful skirt.
After the viewing we had to go to the cemetery. Aunt Marion said I could stick with her — and I remember her car (a white Cadillac) had DIGITAL displays and push-buttons for the radio. It even knew what the outside temperature was! I thought — wow! What a cool AUNT!
The reason I was so keenly aware of what she wore and what was in the car was because I felt safe, calm, and protected from grief. And knowing I could cry at any time and it would be okay ~ I carried that with me through life. (Just ask my son).
She was extra kind to me that day, and I never forgot it.
