Aunty Flora

Thomas' great great Aunty Flora died. Amy's Dad's Dad's sister. The funny thing is, we never were able to take him to meet her. She would have been so proud of him and so happy. It's just one of those things where I (Amy) always got to go and see her because my parents took me, but now that I'm old and married we never went to see her - I didn't know how to get there, or how to arrange it, or what to say...

Aunty Flora was awesome. She loved God so much and loved her family so much. She looked after her husband, Uncle Bert, until he died six years ago, which was not easy cause he had all sorts of 'things' from being a prisoner of war. She loved to feed people! Anytime you showed up there'd be a full table waiting. She loved to hear us sing (poor old dear, he hearing mustn't have been too good). She always had lovely things to say. But most of all anytime anyone left her house she would wave a white hankie until the car was completely out of sight. This has not been lost. My entire Dad's side of the family will now (somewhat competitively) wave a white...well, what ever is in sight really... to say farewell...has been known to include hankies, tissues, teatowels, bedsheets, cats, and almost babies....

I don't feel 'guilty' about not taking him - it was just one of those things that didn't work out. But I know that he is going to miss out on knowing an awesome lady. One whose family will not forget her and has been forever changed by her love, hospitality, kindness and dedication to God.

I thank God for people like Aunty Flora, and remember her with warmth. Thomas has seven great grandparents still alive(! that's amazing) and he goes to see them often. Just like in "Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge" by Mem Fox, our lives should all be touched by those who have lived longer, loved more and remembered all our secrets!

My Grandpa (on the left) and his two remaining siblings Aunty Joy and Uncle Reg

Funny how funerals bring people together... Our family minus Daniel and Geoff