December 14, 2009

Aunt Judy

On Saturday my family lost one of the sweetest people I have ever known. My Aunt Judy passed away suddenly, unexpectedly. I still can’t seem to grasp the thought that she is gone.



Aunt Judy had the most tender heart. I don’t believe she ever said an unkind word about anyone. I have many special memories of times spent on Aunt Judy and Uncle Bill’s farm.



I remember:

· learning that you never set the egg basket down in the chicken house. If you do the hens will attack the eggs. I still feel bad about all the eggs I lost learning that lesson.



· watching Aunt Judy, and several women from church, butchering chickens with amazing skill. Chicken bodies were flying one way and heads the other. What a sight!



· climbing the fence to the hog pen with my brothers and cousin and learning the hard way that there is a hot-wire that must be stepped over. I can almost feel the buzz from the wire that knocked me on my keester in the hog pen. (Go on and laugh, I do – now.)



· a cold day in December many years ago when I went to watch as my aunts and uncles, my grandparents, and several of their friends work all day butchering hogs. That is a day I will never forget.


· standing for nearly an hour at the stove stirring the contents of a big pot so my aunt could make bodae. Not fun at the time, but it was a task I am glad that I experienced. Not many suburbanite kids like me get to have such an experience.



· many Easter Sundays spent around the kitchen table with my cousins and brothers laughing and cracking Easter eggs on each other’s head.



· sitting under the big tree out by the house on lazy summer afternoons chatting and laughing the hours away.



These are just a few of the many memories. I will always treasure the time I was able to spend with my family in southern Illinois. Aunt Judy will truly be missed. Judy was an angel here on earth. As hard as it is to comprehend that she is gone, I know that she is a true angel up in heaven.


14 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry for your loss Stacy, my condolences to you and your family. Your in my thoughts and prayers.

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  2. It's never easy to lose someone, especially when it is unexpected. I'm so sorry. Sounds like you have some really great memories to cherish. Thinking of you :o)

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  3. So sorry for you loss... You are all in my thoughts and prayers..
    hugs...

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  4. Yes, she was an an angel on earth and one of the funniest people I know. I'll never forget her.

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  5. So sorry for your loss. I hope your heart feels a little bit better each day.

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  6. Thinking about you and I'm so sorry for your loss.

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  7. ((hugs)) friend. I'm sorry you lost your aunt who was so dear and precious to you. Sweet memories. (And yes, I chucked once I got over thinking 'ouch!!')

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  8. I am so sorry my friend. Your memories will give you such strength over the next few months. You and your family are in our prayers.

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  9. I'm so sorry. Losses are hard. But it seems the unexpected ones are the worst. I'm thinking of you...

    An aunt of mine is in ICU right now and we're not sure of her prognosis. She also has a farm. And reading through your post made me think of several special memories there from my childhood as well.

    My first time on a horse, the animals in the barn, sitting on a porch swing hanging from a giant tree branch out in the yard and us kids daring each other to touch the hot wire around the horse fence. Yeah ... not so smart and quite a shock.

    Thanks for making me remember. The last week has been all about worry and I'd forgotten those memories. :)

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  10. I already told you before, but I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds like your aunt was a wonderful and strong woman. You're in my thoughts.

    (((Hugs)))

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  11. I am so sorry Stacy. Your aunt sounds like an amazing woman. I am so happy you have so many wonderful memories of her. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

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  12. I'm so sorry to read about your Aunt. It's never easy to lose a loved one but I think unexpected losses, esp around the holidays, are even harder. Sending thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

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  13. Stacy, I am so sorry.....you are all in my thoughts and prayers. May your memories wrap you in warmth and love while you heal.

    Hugs,
    Lisa

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  14. Oh, I am so sorry for your loss. The holidays are really difficult when we lose someone. Hugs and prayers to you and yours.

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