A Great One

I feel really lucky that in my life I've gotten to spend time with women in my family that are pretty incredible.  Today I went to honor one of those women at her funeral, Aunt Velma.  Velma was my Dad's aunt (my grandfather's sister). So that made her my Great Aunt.  And she was.  I know many people don't really know their Great Aunts and Uncles.  And I have lots of them.  But really the only two that I've ever had in my life on a consistent basis were my Aunt Velma and her sister Aunt Marian. 

Aunt Velma was a teacher and a historian.  She was passionate about education.  I'm proud that I attended the same college as her.  I was always impressed that she actually knew some of the people that buildings on campus are named after.  As I got older, I realized what a truly good person she was.  She was a good christian woman to the core.  So many people in my life have claimed that but she didn't really have to try to claim that because it was evident in how she lived her life.  She was always sweet to me and wanted to hear how I was.  Even in her declining health, she would squeeze my hand and tell me how good it was to see me and that I must come again to see her soon.  

Here she was last summer celebrating her 95th birthday with friends and family!

Here I am with Aunt Marian and Aunt Velma on the 4th of July last year.

Aunt Velma passed away in her sleep on May 7th at age 95. Although, it's sad that she's no longer here with us and she'll never squeeze my hand again, I feel really lucky that I got to know her and that I can always treasure those moments I got to spend with my GREAT Aunt. Because she was great, indeed.