cheers to you, auntie jeanne…

as a child, i didn’t have grandparents in the conventional sense… my paternal grandfather passed away four years before i was born… my paternal grandmother passed away when i was four years old… my maternal grandfather passed away when i was five… and although my maternal grandmother died only three years ago, we were estranged… yet, while peers would regale stories of the time they spent with their grandparents, i never felt jaded: i had my great aunt jeanne…

auntie jeanne played a profound role throughout my childhood; and remained an engaged and enthusiastic guardian beyond those formative years… from infectious giggles to words of wisdom, jeanne consistently bestowed a warmth and camaraderie that i will remain forever grateful for… and it’s with many thanks to my mum that we all enjoyed such a bond… mum and i spent countless weekends and summer days with jeanne – they were simple opportunities to pal around, but nothing shy of enriching…

she taught me chinese checkers, and how to track and balance my money . she enjoyed eating watermelon in the backyard and seeing how far we could spit the seeds . her living room held endless competitive hours of our favorite card game, nertz . she shared stories about her adolescent years in newport beach, and about dancing through the late night hours at the rendezvous . items that were miniature yet functional delighted her . she made a potato salad that we enjoyed so much we’d eat it as a meal instead of as a side . when the jim and tammy faye bakker scandal was making headlines, we all applied gobs of mascara and had pizza delivered – the poor delivery boy’s face exhibited equal parts confusion and alarm as jeanne imitated tammy faye with mascara-stained tears streaking her face . hand-written notes were exchanged frequently . anagrams were a shared past-time; well, until i gave her supercalifragilisticexpialidocious . an avid follower of wimbledon, the latest match was discussed on balmy summer days . i have her expertly crocheted blankets stowed away for the next big chill . a collection of heirlooms she has shared over the years are peppered throughout our home . her extraordinary charm bracelets, clustered with special mementos, inspired cris to help me establish my own .

we spent holidays together . we ran errands together .  we laughed together .

in my teens she was one of my fearless passengers as i gathered driving experience to obtain my license…

in my twenties she was patient yet encouraging as i’d share my naively fantastical endeavors that would ultimately end up fleeting…

in my thirties she would inquire enthusiastically about our next trip, expressing her joy in traveling vicariously through us…

after my dad passed away, she was the first person i notified… the immediate concern she expressed for my mum was so moving i will never forget her compassionate perspective… and when those first holidays without him came upon us, she reached out with words of comfort and genuine understanding…

my great aunt jeanne would have turned 93 years old today… may she be cracking a cold one with my dad right now…