#verselove - 22: Aunt Louise

For the month of April, I am participating in 30 days of #verselove poetry writing with Dr. Sarah J. Donovan's Ethical ELA. 

Today's poetry inspiration was by Oklahoma State University preservice teachers Araceli, Deanna, and Michelle, who encouraged us to write a poem to someone we love along the lines of Sandra Cisneros' "Abuelito Who"

My poem is dedicated to my godmother, my Aunt Louise, who died in 2019. 

Aunt Louise

my precious godmother,

who is azaleas in spring, energetic abundance of blooms

light and tender, unadorned and natural,

who is fresh baked cookies, hot from the oven,

spiced with laughter,

whose voice radiates New England - pahk ya cah! 

who is handwritten letters arriving every birthday, 

overflowing with stories

who lets me see Mom through the eyes of a high school bestie 

"I never saw your mother mentally troubled a day in my life, I never did, I never did"

delighting in their antics, back in the day

sculpts my Mom with joy and kindness 

talks to me openly of all the ordinary dirt of life

who shapes this lovely nest worn with love 

knits and reads and plants and tends 

photos and scrapbooks

who is prayers that need saying

tells me “keep the faith!” as farewell 

discovers light in sorrow, always hope, always love 

my window, my insight, my heart

I treasure I treasure I treasure

 

Such love for me

I am participating in the
 Slice of Life.  
All participants are writing about one moment, one part of their day, 
on Tuesdays.
Thank you, Two Writing Teachers!

The photograph of Mom fell off the piano.

Yes, it really did. Without any obvious provocation or antecedent. No one bumped it. No one stomped through the room. Nothing fell over and knocked into it. It was a quiet, early morning, and Tony and I were moving peacefully and ordinarily through our get-ready-for-the-day routine, when we heard it crash to the floor.

What was that?! I asked, and scurried into the living room, tracking the sound, only to find the picture of my Mom on the floor.

Turns out, that same early morning, my Aunt Louise died. My Mom's best friend.

Coincidence?

My friend Sarah says - when you think coincidence, think God.

I am so thankful for this dear woman. I am so thankful for my Aunt Louise. What an amazing woman. She was my Mom's very best friend, since they were young girls. When I was born, she became my godmother and we called her "Aunt." She showered me with love and affection all my life.  

She wrote me a letter every birthday. EVERY BIRTHDAY! I am not exaggerating. I was well into adulthood before I realized what a treasure this was, and I began saving these. How I wish I had kept every single one. 

Over the years, we became regular correspondents. I always looked forward to her letters, pouring myself a cup of tea and sitting down to savor her words. 

When Aunt Louise's daughter went through her mother's writing desk, one last time, after her death, she found an envelope marked "Maureen," filled with photos of me and my family, and my own mother's obituary. Who would've believed that anyone would be so organized, as to have photos and mementos ready to be handed out at their death? 

Who would've doubted that Aunt Louise would be?

In the days since her death, I have tried to slow down and reflect. My dear Aunt Louise is gone, less than one year after my mother, and I am all alone, truly alone, to mother myself.

I must try again today, and every day, to be loving of me.