Friday, May 31, 2024
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Aunt Celia
My Aunt Celia was unique and extraordinarily special. She was an aunt-sister-daughter to me and played a significant role in my life. First, as a playmate in childhood, one of the neighborhood gang, and a companion that I grew to be a chaperone for. When Celia wanted to paint, or make something or see a Beatles movie, I was with her. Through her, I learned to paint, dance and listen to popular music among other things. Her childlike enthusiasm for holidays and birthdays never faded. She lived at home with her family into mid life.
Later, when I had my own family, I helped guide her to a life beyond her family through work, bowling team, and group living. Her passions were: Art - oil painting, crafts involving yarn; baseball - the Cubs; TV - game shows, news; and family - holidays and birthdays.
Life and coming to terms with her limitations was not always easy for Celia nor those around her. The love and care from her family especially her mother, my grandmother, and her sister, my mother, is what made all the difference. They cherished her uniqueness and taught us all to do the same. She was one of us and to be treated equally. She made our lives unpredictable, rich, and colorful. She made us laugh and left us full of wonder at times. How did she know that?
I am missing her now as I know my mother is, too. I’m happy she was part of our life and for all we learned because of her. I’m sorry for ordinary families who will never know the joys of our extraordinary Celia.
Love you and miss you,
Your niece Rachel
