Friday, June 19, 2015
I am so saddened to hear of Aunt Margaret's death. Aunt Margaret was so important to me growing up and spending summers in Manitoba on the farm. There were so many things that she taught me as a child and I don't think she knew how valuable some of the lessons were. She taught me how important cheerfulness is by her attitude towards her family, her tasks and her visitors. I was always so excited about going to the farm because she would seem so happy to see me and always appeared so glad I was there, while in retrospect it could not have been very convenient. She taught me fairness as I remember inevitable squabbles and skirmishes with my cousins and she would never automatically take anyone's side without listening to everything first. I was always amazed that she listened to us all before making a decision and I learned to listen before passing judgement. She taught me enthusiasm and how to work hard at self-directed tasks. Even the tasks that were not that exciting to a kid, she always added "something" to make it wonderful; the best veggies in the garden to eat while picking/weeding (small carrots!), showing me how to run the old wringer washer ("I trust you even though its dangerous"), or allowing Janet and I to clean up the old ice house ("what a great clubhouse this will make!").
I remember always wanting to make her laugh (easily done) just to hear her great laugh. I remember her tucking me into bed along with Janet, sometimes in the old sleeping porch upstairs and sometimes in Janet's bed. She would talk to Janet and me for a few minutes, then tuck and kiss. I loved those times, I felt that she loved me as much as she loved her own family and that I was important and cherished. She just had a natural ability to make people and kids feel respected, important and loved. What a wonderful, wonderful gift to a little summertime girl.
Thank you to my cousins for allowing them to share their wonderful mother with me when I was a child. I don't know if you ever knew how absolutely perfect I thought your mother was and how kind she was to me.
