A Tribute for my Aunt Wanda

My Aunt Wanda passed away this past Sunday morning. I could not find a portrait of her in my collection but I did find this one which is from such a happy and yet melancholy time. That sort of sums up Aunt Wanda's life. It was happy because the whole family is here. My beloved cousins Connie B. and Donny and you can't see him but Wanda is about four months pregnant with Tommy. It's melancholy because my uncle was suffering from the colon cancer that would take his life in just a few months. Resilient.

My Aunt Wanda was a wonderful human being. She was resilient, she was kind, she was loving and she was one of those rare things in this world...a true Christian. Life was not easy for her. She married my Uncle Harlan and I believe that he loved her and his family very much but he was a lot like my dad and did not know how to express it very well. He was gone off with my grandfather and my dad all the time and my grandmother Clayton dominated her kids lives in very unhealthy ways. Yet despite the often unkind treatment of my grandmother Aunt Wanda forgave her and even helped grandma when she needed it. Forgiving.

Aunt Wanda was devoted to my precious cousin Connie B. who was born with a developmental disability and she spent her life making sure Connie had the best life possible. She nursed my uncle through his illness. She dealt with my grandmother with grace and kindness even though grandma did not make that easy. She raised Connie and Donnie and Tommy on her own until she met Jim and later had James Jr.. She suffered more unbearable heartbreak when Donny was killed in car accident in 1969. Yet she carried on and she held her head high and she trusted in God to get her through the darkness. Kind.

Aunt Wanda was a loving woman who loved her children and her grandchildren and her great grandchildren very much. She even had room in her heart for me. And despite the fact that I am not sure she understood me she still loved me and never showed me anything but love and kindness. She was very important to me and very loved by me and everyone she came in contact with throughout her life. Loving.

I am not the worlds most religious person anymore. I have become a wee tad jaded about those who claim to be Christians but do not have the first clue on how to be one. My Aunt Wanda was the exception to the rule. She was everything I think a Christian and a spectacular human being should be. She was resilient, forgiving, kind and most important loving. I loved her very much and I will miss her forever but I know she is in heaven and I can hear her and Connie B. singing "Jesus Loves Me" and this image I will hold in my heart and I will try not to cry because I know they would not want me to be sad. They are all together and at peace and that's all we can really hope for in this life.