So much has happened over the past three weeks. Dave and I have definitely made the most of our early departure from our Birdsville/Quilpie job. However, this post is not about that. This post is going to be a bit different from our previous ones.
My Aunt Kate passed away one week ago today. She died peacefully surrounded by family, and for that I am very grateful. However, I have a heavy heart today, as my whole family will be at her memorial, celebrating her life, and I am forced to miss it. So, I just wanted to take a minute or two to have a little memorial for myself.
Kate was a character! For those of you that knew her, you know that there was never a dull moment when she was around. She was definitely feisty in all aspects of her life...her fashion sense, her hair colour, her remarks. She challenged all those around her constantly. My cousins and I have been sending messages back and forth about some of the "life lessons" that we learned from Kate. Reading all of these have really shown how much of a impact she had on all of us, and most of them really made me smile, so I just want to share a few of them with you all.
*When you get money in your pocket, never save it...but instead, give much of it to others, and buy gifts with the rest!
*Never spend more than a week with the same hair colour and the best fashion sense is a daring one!
*You're never too old to rediscover your passion and talents. Everyone in our family has at least one of Kate's painting hanging in our homes.
*When babysitting, you can take a nap as long as you tell people that you are just "resting your eyes". (I personally experienced this one on many occasions, and I turned out fine :)
*There's nothing like a box full of candies to get you through the second half of a football game - and it really revs up your steamboat counting!
*Generosity is always appreciated whether it's receiving the perfect dishcloth, or opening an entire bag of jewellery and trinkets.
We came up with so many more...oh, the memories. I had the privilege of spending the majority of my childhood weekends with Kate and I have so many more memories from that. You could always count on dessert on Saturday night - chocolate bars from the corner store. And, she always showed up on Saturday morning with a dozen donuts - and in that box I could always count on Kate for a delicious Hawaiian sprinkle donut. YUM! I am having a donut today in her honour!!
I really wish I could be with my family today. It sure is hard being so far away when something like this happens, but I know that they will celebrate her life in style. I am there in spirit and sending lots of love and positive thoughts their way.
We will all miss you Kate!! May you rest in peace xoxo
xoxo Steph
