In Aunt Helen’s house,
time seemed to pause in its endless journey, as if lulled into forgetting its
usual sense of urgency.
Pale afternoon sun would arc
across warm, wood floors and come to rest in the folds of a cardigan draped loosely over a chair. Logs would crackle gently in the fire, filling the air with a familiarity
that declared this was home.
The first thing one noticed about Helen was that each and every day of life was an adventure, a cause to exclaim, “Well, isn’t life wonderful”.
At ninety-seven, she
still lived alone, yet she never had to
fear feeling lonely. Family and friends, (of the two-legged and four-legged
kind) dropped by daily to soak up the atmosphere of contentment in a life
well-lived that Helen and her surroundings exuded. There was always a bracing
drink for the humans and cheese and biscuits for the many dogs embraced as
loving friends now that her days of pet ownership were behind her.
With time, she weakened
and could no longer get around as well as before...but she still missed little
and continued to greet each day with anticipation.
From her wing chair by the fire, Helen would tilt
eagerly toward visitors. “Now tell me what you did today, dear,” she’d encourage
us, her interest genuine, her focus centered on the response.
When questioned about her
own day, she’d beam widely and talk about the history article she’s just read,
or give us her take on the latest news story.
Of course, conversations inevitably came back to the widespread family she adored. It was clear we were all of us cherished.
Of course, conversations inevitably came back to the widespread family she adored. It was clear we were all of us cherished.
Helen’s life is the standard by which I’ve begun to gauge my own journey. I may or may not manage to write the book I’ve talked about for years, or finish getting my Fine Arts degree. Other interests may prevail, obstacles will no doubt demand my time and attention.
But if I live each day to its fullest, and find joy in every one of them, as she did, I will be content.
To the best of my ability, I want to be present in each moment , and if I’m fortunate enough to share my days with the people and animals I love, then I too will be able to say, “Isn’t life wonderful!”
We lost our beloved matriarch this weekend, when her tired body gave up the fight and led her to Heaven, but we will forever bask in the light of grace that blessed those of us fortunate enough to be taken into her boundless heart.
Now it is in our hearts that she will rest with us always.
We loved you immeasurably, Helen. We will always remember your kindness, your generosity of spirit and your capacity to wring the best out of each day even when it seemed impossible.
We will do our best to embrace life with
the same vigour you did, and when we meet again, it will be to sit once more by
a crackling fire and exchange the stories of our lives...
.
