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The Best Woman I've Ever Known |
| Written by Sharon Chance | |
| Sunday, 09 March 2008 | |
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My Aunt Doris was a special lady. She went off from home at a young age to work at the airplane factory in Fort Worth, Texas during World War II, a time when young girls didn't leave their safe rural hometowns. She was mother to my five cousins, who were the brother and sisters in my only-child life. Although her family was "poor" she always created fun at her house, and I loved to go and visit there. And she always amazed me at how she could create wonderful meals from just a little of nothing, and feed a houseful from that! I could talk to my Aunt Doris about anything, and knew she would listen with an open heart and would give me sound advice. She would kick back in her rocking chair, her bare feet swinging, smoking her favorite cigarette and listen to me pour out my heart. I loved those last night talks, and learned so much from her. She loved my husband so much, and adored and cherished my boys. Their pictures were included amongst the ones of her grandchildren. They were "her" boys. It was those stupid cigarettes that would be her demise. She developed lung cancer and was ill for quite some time, hospitalized in Houston. I was busy raising my own brood of kids and couldn't get away to drive the 5 hours to see her easily...I kept saying, next week, I'll go next week...and then came the call - she was gone. I should have just up and went to see her...and I regret that to this day that I wasn't there for her. My mother said Aunt Doris talked of me to the very end of her days. At her funeral, my cousins planned for the day to be a celebration of their mother. They asked me to sing at the funeral, but I just couldn't...I didn't think I could hold myself together through it all. At the gravesite, her grandchildren released balloons to celebrate her life, and I stood and watched them float away into the heavens. Everyone else was standing nearby talking, and I walked over to the casket, placing my hand on the rosewood, saying my last goodbyes. My other aunt walked up and put her arm around me. "You're going to miss her, aren't you?" she said. I nodded my head, tears in my eyes. "She sure spoiled you," my aunt concluded, patting my arm and walking off. Yes, my dear Aunt Doris spoiled me...spoiled me rotten! She loved me unconditionally, and I returned that love. She was my champion, she was my friend, she was my hero. I miss her terribly. I love you, Aunt Doris. Copyright 2008 Sharon Chance |
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