Strong In Spirit

She started the day in her garden tending to her prize winning Camellias, then was off to exercise class to which she drove herself; she then met her grandson and his wife for lunch, then came home to bake cookies for the 5:00 dinner and 7:30 meeting she would attend later in the day! A not so ordinary day for quite an extraordinary spirit, my Aunt Jeanne, who will be 93 years old later this year! sigh She is my dad’s older sister and only sibling, from my Swedish side of the family. In many ways, she has been a mom to me in this lifetime, for which I am grateful. To say that she possesses the fruits of Spirit is an understatement. And I feel these qualities and strengths speak to the enduring legacy she is still sharing with her family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances. Everywhere she goes, she inspires. Everywhere she goes, she is loved. Her life has not always been easy, she lost her 3rd eldest son out of 4 boys to cancer about a decade ago and her beloved husband Bill a few years back. And yet, she embraces life and lives positively and goes out of her way to help others, still participating in organizations she values, the church I was raised in and the community that has always been her home. I’ve been convinced for a long time there should be a National Holiday in her name~ she is surely that kind of treasure. I know for sure she is to me. It’s not her birthday so there is not particular reason for sharing her presence and light today other than the fact she is so completely, graciously, lovingly, faithfully and kindly, her Self. And after almost a Century on planet earth, that is something to be both honored and celebrated. I love you Aunt Jeanne!