Dear Old Aunt Ruth - The Most Humbled Wonder Woman
“She’s gone to be with the angels now.”
Dad, “How do you know that?”
“Sir, I’ve been working in this hospital for more than 20 years. I know about angels.”
When Aunt Ruth was alive, many new moms got to open boxes full of precious baby items made with tremendous love and detail by a caring old lady. Beautifully crocheted blankets, sweaters and booties. She was quite skilled at making quilts – the kind that become family heirlooms. She also loved to purchase bibs, burp cloths and receiving blankets and add her own personal touch to them. This usually entailed sewing details around the edges: lace, binding or brick-a-brack.
Even children she didn’t know received loving gifts from Dear Old Aunt Ruth. Throughout the year, Aunt Ruth would make stuffed animals for the “needy kids.” She’d call the local shelter or church around Christmas and have them pick up 4 – 5 trash bags full of these homemade stuffed animals.
When we told Aunt Ruth about my first pregnancy, she immediately started making baby items. As she explained, “Baby stuff is the most fun to make.”
Well, she knew I lost that baby and I never got to open a box full of Aunt Ruth baby goodies.
Babies and small children weren’t the only ones who benefited from Aunt Ruth’s generous and giving spirit. With only an 8th grade education, and making $1.57 an hour she supported five family members: her dying father, later on her dying mother and then her divorced brother and young nephew. When Aunt Ruth was 80 and that nephew was an adult, she cared from him after heart surgery; giving up her bed and using her arthritis scarred hands to painstakingly get his tight, circulation socks onto his legs.
As I was growing up, every single birthday and Christmas found me unwrapping hand painted, ceramic cat statues. My step sister always received unicorn statues.
Even though Aunt Ruth never married or had any children she was a true Wonder Woman because she gave and provided while being incredibly humble.
After she died, as my dad was cleaning out her house, he came across a box marked “Lori.” Even though I had gone on to experience four more miscarriages, the sweet woman knew I’d always have a family of my own and quietly kept making me baby items. My daughter has received many comments when she’s worn the beautiful ponchos and sweaters Aunt Ruth made.
This essay is for the writing contest over at Scribbit blog. Who is the Wonder Woman in your life? Write about her and enter!
“She’s gone to be with the angels now.”
Dad, “How do you know that?”
“Sir, I’ve been working in this hospital for more than 20 years. I know about angels.”
When Aunt Ruth was alive, many new moms got to open boxes full of precious baby items made with tremendous love and detail by a caring old lady. Beautifully crocheted blankets, sweaters and booties. She was quite skilled at making quilts – the kind that become family heirlooms. She also loved to purchase bibs, burp cloths and receiving blankets and add her own personal touch to them. This usually entailed sewing details around the edges: lace, binding or brick-a-brack.
Even children she didn’t know received loving gifts from Dear Old Aunt Ruth. Throughout the year, Aunt Ruth would make stuffed animals for the “needy kids.” She’d call the local shelter or church around Christmas and have them pick up 4 – 5 trash bags full of these homemade stuffed animals.
When we told Aunt Ruth about my first pregnancy, she immediately started making baby items. As she explained, “Baby stuff is the most fun to make.”
Well, she knew I lost that baby and I never got to open a box full of Aunt Ruth baby goodies.
Babies and small children weren’t the only ones who benefited from Aunt Ruth’s generous and giving spirit. With only an 8th grade education, and making $1.57 an hour she supported five family members: her dying father, later on her dying mother and then her divorced brother and young nephew. When Aunt Ruth was 80 and that nephew was an adult, she cared from him after heart surgery; giving up her bed and using her arthritis scarred hands to painstakingly get his tight, circulation socks onto his legs.
As I was growing up, every single birthday and Christmas found me unwrapping hand painted, ceramic cat statues. My step sister always received unicorn statues.
Even though Aunt Ruth never married or had any children she was a true Wonder Woman because she gave and provided while being incredibly humble.
After she died, as my dad was cleaning out her house, he came across a box marked “Lori.” Even though I had gone on to experience four more miscarriages, the sweet woman knew I’d always have a family of my own and quietly kept making me baby items. My daughter has received many comments when she’s worn the beautiful ponchos and sweaters Aunt Ruth made.
This essay is for the writing contest over at Scribbit blog. Who is the Wonder Woman in your life? Write about her and enter!
3 comments:
What a wonderful sweet woman! I've come to always enjoy your entries, you write very well!
I just loved Dear Old Aunt Ruth. She was such a wonderful lady. I love your tribute to her!
lori - i'm sorry to read about aunt ruth - i know how much she did for your dad after his heart attack..he can tell some great stories about her!
take care
sarita
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