An Unexpected Christmas Meeting

When I was growing up, my "Aunt" and "Uncle" and their daughter lived around the corner. Aunt Mamie was somehow related as a cousin somehow to my dad way down through the lines. She was a character. She was the most jovial person in the world. She had a laugh and smile that would melt even the coldest of hearts. My Uncle Dale was a Studebaker worker and he was the opposite of his wife. She was warm and cuddly and he was stiff and very uncomfortable on the outside with demonstrated affection. On the inside though, he melted like butter with any kind of attention. My mom didn't drive so when we needed a ride home from school or we were sick and needed to be picked up, Uncle Dale was right there to give my mom a ride. Aunt Mamie was my mom's closest friend.

Every Saturday night, they would come over to the house and play a card game called Blitz....and pennies were the prize winnings. We loved it when they came over as we would always have the treat of a glass of soda and a bowl of chips.
On my son's Ej's graduation day from Kindergarden, Aunt Mamie died. It was a painful and sad loss for our family. What was suppose to be a happy evening of celebration turned into a painful one with the news.

On the morning of May 31st in 1985, my sweet mother passed away and oddly enough, that evening my other son, Jon, was due to graduate from Kindergarden. A happy day in so many ways (parents wedding anniversary also), turned to a deeper loss than I could ever explain.
Tonight, as I was coming home from work, I was about to pass the restaurant my dad usually eats dinner at. I had the urge to stop so I did. I found my brother and Dad in their usual spot. I sat down and realized they had been chatting with the ladies at the next table. I sat there for a few minutes and then turned my head towards the three ladies at the table. One was staring right into my eyes and I realized that it was none other than Aunt Mamie's daughter and her two life long friends. I became all teary eyed as I haven't seen Betty since her mom's funeral in 1983. Though she showed the years on her face, the warmth and love in her eyes came shining through. Hugs and lots of conversation followed. We talked about the days of me growing up and we exchanged all of the things we remembered about those days. I proudly showed pictures of my children and caught them up on what my sister, Bonnie, was doing. During a moment of me talking to my dad and brother, I over heard the most wonderful thing. They were talking amongst themselves and were saying how much I looked like my mom. There hasn't been anyone around that would ever be able to say that but these three sweet ladies. I could only fight back the proud tears upon hearing their discussion. It was such an honor and compliment for anyone to compare me to my mom. She was loved so much and admired so much for the sweet person she was. I always thought my mom was the most beautiful woman in the world....and to be compared even in the slightest bit to her was a gift from the past. I could feel my mother looking down on me tonight. I know she was smiling and realizing the impact she made on many lives...especially mine.

It was an early Christmas gift to me. I was able to bring my mom to life in our memory sharing and with any thought that I might resemble her in some way. All girls think their moms are beautiful. My mom was beautiful inside as well as outside. It was a blessing seeing those that surrounded me as I grew up.

Merry Christmas, Dixie!

I sit and wait, does an angel contemplate my fate

and do they know the places where we gowhen we’re grey and old‘
Cuz I’ve been told that salvation lets their wings unfold

so when I’m lying in my bed thoughts running through my headand I feel that love is dead,

I’m loving angels instead

and through it all she offers me protectiona lot of love and affection, whether I’m right or wrong

and down the waterfall wherever it may take me

I know that life wont break me when I come to call

she wont for sake me I’m loving angels instead
when I’m feeling weak and my pain walks down a one way street

I look above and I know ill always be blessed with love

and as the feeling grows she breathes flesh to my bones and when love is dead

I’m loving angels instead
and through it all she offers me protection, a lot of love and affection

whether I’m right or wrong

and down the waterfall wherever it may take me,

I know that life wont break me

when I come to call she wont forsake me

I’m loving angels instead

Dorothy Virginia Waters
8/30/1922 - 5/31/1985