Wednesday, November 20, 2013
It has been too long since I visited my family back east. After my sister Cathy sent me the news about Aunt Alice, I sent this message to my seven children - ages 26 - 11...
When Dale was a baby we (Mom, Dale and me (Dad)) moved from Derry, New Hampshire to Rochester, New York. We stayed with Aunt Cathy and Uncle Mike for a while, then moved in with Aunt Alice (Grandma Heyer's next youngest sister) and Uncle Frank. We were staying with them as we waited to close on a house. They were very generous, and already well into their retirement. Aunt Alice was so welcoming and loving, and developed a loving relationship with Mom. I am typing this, and thinking of all the love Aunt Alice showered on us - helping us with the kids, giving Mom some nearby "family", and fixing DEE-licious meals for us. I am trying to think of asking Aunt Alice for anything where the answer wasn't either "yes" or "ok." I just can't picture her saying "no" to us - if she could help out she did.
What I want you to understand is the amount of LOVE our family had from your Great Aunt Alice. I can only picture her smiling. I can only picture her loving embrace. I can only see her being my Aunt Alice.
Uncle Frank was kind of an old codger, with a big heart. As Dale was laying on their family room floor, Uncle Frank prodded Dale with his cane trying to help him learn to roll over. At this point in his life, Uncle Frank was already going downhill with his health, but he kept sharing himself with me, the new Dad who was struggling to find a home for our family. Mom and I loved Uncle Frank enough to give Clinton his middle name - did you notice Clinton Francis Heyer? There is no other "Frank" in our family.
When I was little, younger than Henry is today, my family (your Aunts and Uncles) would spend occasional afternoons or evenings at Aunt Alice and Uncle Frank's house. Their kids - my cousins - were mostly older than me, but going to the Schwan's was always a good time for us, especially swimming in their pool in the back yard.
This is YOUR family. You don't know them as well as you should, but time and travel can fix this.
If the children of Aunt Alice and Uncle Frank had children from the same mold, then you have second cousins that you are going to want to meet.
I love you.
When you go to Mass, or when you say your evening prayers - please say a prayer for Aunt Alice and her (your) family.
As always - I could use your prayers as well.
Dad
