Today I am thankful for aunts and uncles. And the reason is, that I got to see Susie with Lia, Ellie and Zeke. I am so happy that they get to spend time with their aunt and uncle. And this reminded me of my own experience with my aunts and uncles. The top picture is my mom and dad with some of my favorite aunts and uncles on my dad's side. The second picture (I actually managed to get into this shot) are my aunts and uncles on my mom's side. What I was remembering today were all of the wonderful times I had with my Aunt Mable and Uncle George and Aunt Avis. They lived right by "the lake" (our cabin on Lake Maud) and I was the youngest and often not included by the older kids. So often, I got to spend time with Mable and George or Avis. I loved that George treated me as a "big girl" and would let me play cards with them. I learned how to play many kinds of rummy and canasta at their kitchen table. I loved going to their house. It was a big, old farm house and they had an amazing "sun porch". On that sun porch was an accumulation of years and years of magazines. I could sit there for hours and look through old Life magazines and Better Homes and Gardens from the 1930's. And my Aunt Mable was an amazing cook and baker. She always showed up to visit with some wonderful desert. And Aunt Avis made the most amazing bread and rolls - on a WOOD cook stove. (I can't quite imagine how you regulate the temperature on one of those, but she sure did it!). And then there was the telephone - You know the kind where you pick up the phone and "call" the operator by turning the crank? And then you listened for your "ring" (I seem to remember - a long, two shorts and a long). Plus, it was a party line and there could be conversations going on with your neighbors. At any rate, these times with my aunts and uncles were so special to me. I got to be on a farm and see all the animals - something very neat for a city girl like me. All that to say, I cherish the times I had with my aunts and uncles. It is a wonderful thing to know that my grandchildren are benefiting from their relationships with their aunts and uncles.
So, once again, can I just say that it is an amazing part of God's plan that included an extended family. Some of the experiences that I had with my aunts and uncles would never have been part of my life without them. And today, I am thankful for that. Unfortunately, all of my aunts and uncles are now dead. As a matter of fact, my mom was the last of her generation (on both my mom and dad's side). What is on my heart is an encouragement to you to hold on the memories of your extended family. And to be sure to share these stories with your children and grandchildren. I am convinced that there are wonderful generational blessings hidden in our stories. And as we tell the stories, the long-ago seeds spring into life and grow into plants of blessings that live on in the next generations.
Jesus, thank you for reminding me tonight of all the special times I had with my aunts and uncles. Holy Spirit, remind us all to hang on to the memories of our families and to share them with our children and grandchildren. Jesus, help us to see with your eyes, the many ways you have been working in our families throughout the years. Amen
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