Wednesday, October 21, 2020
Aunt Connie was our tall 'strict' aunt - the most authentically Wisconsin member of the family possessing a germanic sense of order and discipline. When we visited as small children we were handed a dust cloth before breakfast and assigned furniture. We were only allowed to eat after the inspection. The vacation cleaning regime (over time expanded to vacuuming and dish washing) achieved its goal. I absorbed the work ethic and high standards she obviously meant to instil. Aunt Connie was also our exotic aunt. For ten years we received beautiful Japanese dolls and other lovely gifts from Japan. And then as an adult she was (at least to me) the companionable aunt. We shared an affinity for multiple winter coats and I loved her dry sense of humour. She used to describe the terrifically harsh Wisconsin/Illinois winters as 'character testing.'
Good-bye Aunt Connie. I will miss you, my tall, strict, exotic and companionable and pretty aunt.. But I know this was a release and in my mind I picture your spirit - running.
