Aunt Accents

I was at a funeral last week. People came from all over the country to celebrate the life of my aunt and to nudge her toward her Heavenly home. So many states were represented because my aunt happened to be the mother of the Romanian Byzantine Catholic Bishop of North America and priests came from many locales to assist with her memorial service.

Of all my aunts, Millie was the one I saw the most and I was often told I resembled her in personality and interests. We both loved the colors of red and purple and other jewel tones. We both loved shopping–particularly where a bargain was to be had; we both loved baking and we both loved having a church life. Of course where I am concerned, I still love those activities and her passing made me think I was born to be like her in some ways.

Our nickname for my aunt was Tusi—pronounced too’-shee, based on the Romanian word for “aunt.” This may be where my aunt and I diverge. Tusi Millie cherished her Romanian heritage. She and my dad, while born in America, lived their formative years in Romania until they were 10 and 15 respectively. She was dedicated to her heritage and was deeply moved to visit her country of heritage more than once. While I enjoy thinking at times about my heritage, I am more likely to wave a red white and blue flag and think of my self as “all American.” That difference always gave us things to talk about. Cooking also gave us topics to chat about as she loved lots of onions and garlic and I am prone to leave the onions out of a recipe. My aversion to onions is a family joke as everyone else loves them! Tusi and I were kindred souls traveling different paths.

I was thinking today how God made plans for both of our lives before we were even born. We were set apart to walk the roads that life offered. My aunt was witty and thoughtful and a student of people through her deeply observant nature. God put those qualities in her. They were just a few of her gifts, as we all have God given gifts bestowed from on high.

I thank God for my Aunt Millie. I like to think that on her Heavenly journey she has already tracked down my mother who left this precious earth almost 36 years ago. I hope they are visiting and that they “reside” near one another.

“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2

Years ago I saw a painted plaque that stated a variation of the above John quote. It read like this:

“In my father’s house there are many mansions and I hope mine is next to yours.”

I rather hope my aunt is now living near my mom.