Benny's World

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Gladiolas for Iddybud and Me

Iddybud and I had a common experience recently. Last Wednesday night (July 26th), both of us lost aunts who meant something to us. I was not able to attend my aunt's funeral and frankly, until Sunday, I kind of put the passing of my mind.

My mother tells me that my aunt's funeral went well and there were many people there, considering my aunt was 96 and hadn't been able to get to church very often. I also reminded my mom that my aunt and her husband, who proceded her 2 years ago, lived a lot longer than any of us thought they would considering they were in a tragic boat accident 24 years ago and almost lost their lives, albeit their cousins didn't make it.

Anyway, Jude, this bouquet is for you and me. Peace be with you and your family, and also to the ones who are suffering in the Middle East.

Update: I'm adding Senator Max Baucus and his family to the bouquet list. I found out this afternoon that Senator Baucus' nephew was killed in Iraq a few days ago.

posted by benny06 at Tuesday, August 01, 2006

5 Comments:

  • Benny,

    What a lovely gift. Thank you so much.

    If there's one thing that characterized Aunt Margaret best, it would be how much she loved her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews - we were at the center of her life and I can't begin to tell you how important that was, growing up, to my own sense of security and well-being in this crazy world.

    She owned a camp on beautiful Lake Ontario (Chaumont Bay) in Northern New York. It was her home away from home every summer and she lovingly and graciously shared it with all of her family. I have many memories of beautiful summer mornings - waking up to the smell of breakfasts she would cook, diving off the dock into the cold water, being out on the lake with her and my Uncle Bob learning to fish, walking down the road to the dairy farm to see farmer Barr milk his cows, day trips into Canada....

    These memories of camp were common to not only my generation, but the children of the next generation. Her grandchildren wrote her eulogy, and it was filled with the common thread of camp. It hit the heart - there wasn't a dry eye in the pews at the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

    Experiences there 'anchored' the family to the region (pun intended). In this article, you'll see Geordie Magee (my cousin) talking about the Chaumont Yacht Club, which his family likely chose for a place to do business because of their wonderful experiences at Aunt Margaret's place.

    She was my Godmother, and she took that responsibility seriously. I credit her for creating a foundation for the strong faith I have today. I have a new angel interceding on my behalf over on Jordan's far shore and I look forward to seeing her again when it's my turn to cross.

    You have my condolences as well. I'm sure you have many fond memories of your aunt. You and she will be in my prayers.

    - Jude

    By Blogger Jude Nagurney Camwell, at 8:30 AM  

  • What a lovely tribute. One of my favorite places I haved visited is the Thousand Islands. I've been to the boat museum in Clayton, and love the Thousand Island Dressing I had on my salads there.

    My aunt and uncle enjoyed fishing and often took their grandkids to Colorado in the summer and went fishing off the Texas Gulf Coast in October.

    My aunt was a big sports fan and she watched all of the Texas Tech games on TV with my uncle, and often they visited my mom and watched with her.

    My fondest memories are from when I got out of college and worked in a small town near them for a couple of years. I lived in their rent house, and once a week I was invited to break bread with them and play cards. They also taught me how to play 42 and Moon, both domino games. My uncle and I were partners, and my aunt and mom were partners. They loved competing against each other and they were funny when one would outbid the other, as they would say "If I don't do it, s/he's going to make it anyway."

    I'm glad they are back together now as my aunt missed my uncle when he died so tragically a couple of years ago (he was in a head-on car collision).

    I bet they are playing Skipbo or Moon. Benny

    By Blogger benny06, at 9:06 AM  

  • Benny,

    My deepest sympathy to both you and Jude. Thank you both for sharing your memories with us.

    By Blogger townhomegirly, at 1:17 PM  

  • Benny and Jude,
    I'm sorry that you both lost your aunts. It's a reminder to me that I need to visit my 82 year old aunt in San Francisco a lot more.

    Even when people lead full lives, it's still painful when they go.

    By Blogger Chancelucky, at 11:38 AM  

  • Thanks, THG and CL.

    Hey, Benny, when you get here this fall, I have an awesome old set of dominoes - maybe you can teach me those games that your aunt and uncle loved to play.

    Small world - my next door neighbors (while I was growing up) - Sandy + Mike - owned a marina in Clayton (Mike still does - but we lost Sandy in June. Man, it's been a rough year.)

    By Blogger Jude Nagurney Camwell, at 6:40 PM  

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