Aunt Billie

Happy Sunday evening everyone,

How are you all doing? Well I hope. Did you have a great weekend? I sure hope so. Tomorrow is Monday and the beginning of another long week. Rise and shine at 5 am. I will say, it’s getting harder and harder to get up that early and begin my day. Oh well, it’s life for now and we do what we have to do for those we love.

I did have an amazing weekend. Yesterday I was able to spend the day with my dear friend Susan. We started the day with a beautiful drive to Vista to visit a quilt shop, Quilt in a Day. I met Ronda the employee there who basically runs the store on weekends. She was so sweet and made shopping so much fun.

Next, we stopped at a brand new quilt shop in San Marcos, Grand Central Quilt n Stitch. All I can say is I’m in love with this quilt store. They not only have quilting but cross stitch. Here I thought cross stitching had gone out of style, but nope, visit this store and you will see the wonderful masterpieces along with many patterns and lots of yarn.

Finally, we headed to Quilters Cottage in Fallbrook. Yeah, that was a mistake. I ended up buying some fabric. I couldn’t resist.

All the stores we visited were absolutely wonderful. I was reinspired to not only quilt again but get back into my cross stitching and I can’t wait.

Today I got up and headed out to visit my Aunt Billie. I ended up spending close to 4 hours with her. We had one of our best visits. I arrived just in time for lunch in which we sat with Aunt Billie’s table buddies, Joanne and Suzanne. What incredible ladies I was honored to have lunch with. So much knowledge I was amongst while sitting with my Aunt Billie, Suzanne and Joanne.

After lunch Aunt Billie and I headed back to her little apartment and for some reason she became very nostalgic. She asked me if I wanted to hear a song and of course I said sure. She asked Alexa to play, “I Will Always Love you,” by Whitney Houston.

Aunt Billie sang along to the song and for part of the time she stood and just stared at a photo of her and Uncle Bud. He passed away many years ago. I believe he’s been gone 18 years now. I asked her what was so special about this song and what she thought of while it was playing and she was singing. “Bud. I think of Bud and how very much I love him and miss him.”

Broke my heart right in two. It took everything I had to keep my tears from escaping my eyes. I didn’t want to make her cry.

Aunt Billie then played My Way by Frank Sinatra. She sang and was so animated. She was bringing the song to life. When the song was over she said this song will be played at her funeral. She wants it played as the six men she’s chosen to carry her coffin from the church to the car that will take her to her final resting place. Aunt Billie said she’s lived too long to have a church hymn played. She said, “I’ve lived my life and I’ve done it my way and I want this to be my last song.”

Aunt Billie looked up at me and asked, “am I strange because I think of these things?”

No I said. I told her I believe once we hit a certain phase of life we do begin to think of dying and our funerals. I wanted to just hug her at that point, however, we continued our conversation.

She went down memory lane and talked in great detail about her life with Uncle Bud. She sure did love him and she misses him every day. In some ways, I think she’s ready to go home to be with her loving husband yet, she has her family and I believe with all my heart that she knows her passing is going to devastate many of us. Though life will go on, she will be missed and I think this keeps her focused on staying with us awhile longer. I know it’s selfish, but I’m glad she’s still here.

Aunt Billie will be 100 years old in April. She has lived a long and fulfilling life with very little regret. She is filled with history and so much love. I simply can’t imagine life without her and I hope I don’t have to for a very long time.

I suppose going down memory lane with Aunt Billie today made me realize that she won’t be here forever, in fact, every day she is here is a true blessing and I am determined to spend as much time with her as I can.

Aunt Billie is one of the best gifts I’ve ever been given in this life. I love her so much. Today really made me stop and think about how precious life is. Seeing her zone out to songs that took her to a time in her life where she had her husband by her side. Hearing her sing songs that brought her happiness and sadness at the same time was a gift. Yes, a gift. Being a part of a precious memory was her gift to me. She melted my heart and I don’t even think she realized it.

My Aunt Billie needed to take this walk down memory lane today and I was blessed and honored to be a part of it. Saying goodbye today wasn’t easy but I know she’s okay. Today is one that I will treasure forever. I have a new appreciation for Aunt Billie and for the incredible life she lived and I get to be a part of it. I’ve been in her life all my life. I’ve had 56 years with her being one of the greatest women I’ve ever known.

Having today with her was the highlight of my weekend. I was and am so grateful for our time together today.

Well guys, I need to hit the sack. Thank you for stopping by and reading. Until next time, don’t forget, Love Life++ Hugs.