A Tribute to a Lovely Aunt
Sheila was Sheila to me long before she was my Auntie Sheila. She was my Uncle Billy’s girlfriend—-and that in itself made her special.
Right from when we were little she made my sister and I feel special.
My first memory—-way back-was her drawing us close to herself, an arm around each, as if to make us her friend. Wow, a teenager wanting to be our friend! Oh, how that contributed to the self- image!
Sheila was the kind of person who scattered seeds of kindness wherever she was. She did so throughout our lives with the loving sweet and thoughtful things she did. An example when we were little girls she and uncle Billy created Christmas cake trains for us—-a pink train with green icing and a green train with pink icing. How magical to have your own cake at Christmas with all that icing —made especially for you!
Sheila was also what in my childhood mind was part of the princesses going off to the New Year’s Ball –all dressed up, sparkly and beautiful. Her co-princesses were Patricia [my mom], Aunt Yvonne, sometimes Annie Merle, and other friends.
Don’t we learn when we are young by example? Yes, princesses
are beautiful but OH – “Are they kind?” My examples were loving, fun people. The inner person important.
As the years went by and Bill and Sheila had kids they wanted a close connection of cousins for their kids. When we had opportunity to play with them, she praised us for the way we cared for Mitch and Shannon. This kindness again fed into the self-esteem.
Our families have happy, almost magical memories of some Christmas times together and especially Christmas tree hunting. Sheila made pots of hot corn chowder and chilli to eat after our efforts. Another act of kindness.
In our teens when our families got together Sheila would come to our rooms to chat and to see what was new. This reinforced the much earlier notion that she was our friend too; and that genuine interest again fed the self- esteem.
Sheila and Billy cared about our education. In those college years of our life Nette once stayed with them. Sheila arranged for me to do my first year University and a Grade 12 Math, I needed to complete at Mount Royal College. I wonder ??? without that intervention would I have ever become a teacher –a rich rewarding career for myself.
I cannot count all the sweet kindnesses she has done – just for me. At this moment, I can think of many more. Just think over what she has done for you!!
It is so—–hard to say farewell for now to such a kind loving aunt.
I Don’t want to.!!!!!! And then I am reminded what Al always said ‘’Absent from the body is present with the Lord’
And I remind myself farewell is just for now—for Sheila still turned to Jesus and I know that HIS promise is for those that call upon HIM.
And the promise is this:
God will wipe away every tear from their eyes
And DEATH shall be no more
Neither shall there be mourning, nor crying nor pain anymore for the former things have passed away.
