My Aunt Jane

A few weeks ago my dad had an operation to replace his aortic valve. My sister, my mom and I were sitting in the waiting room when I saw my sister’s face suddenly light up as she said “Well, hello!”

I turned to see my mother’s sister Jane, with a broad smile on her face, walking across the room toward us.

Immediately, I felt a surge of energy, encased in a sense of calm with a good dose of humor added in. That is the way Aunt Jane makes me feel.

I spent a lot of time at her house when I was growing up. She has three boys, Richard, Tom and Ben. We were all full of energy and mischief and even when she was exhausted from working a long nursing shift at the hospital she was able to handle us with a strong, positive attitude.

We would often sit around the kitchen table talking. It wasn’t unusual for the topic to become inappropriate, like the time Tom asked her what a scrotum was, but she always answered the questions and pretty much told us we were a bunch of fools.

Nothing has ever been handed to Jane. She worked hard to go to nursing school and raise a family. She has handled her fair share of tragedy and pain and yet she rarely complains.

She is honest, direct and kind. She now runs a second hand clothing shop and when a recent customer was picking out clothing and complaining loudly about the “flaming liberal democrats” in this country Aunt Jane simply said, “I’m one of those flaming liberal democrats” as she checked the customer out. They both laughed and now when that customer comes to shop Aunt Jane calls her the “Cute Conservative.”

She handles conflict that way. She may not agree with you but she will certainly listen to you.

My Aunt Jane simply helps me feel better about life and what life can be. Thank you Aunt Jane. I love you.