Me, my Aunt and Topsy - one of many kitty parties |
She grew up in Rochester, then forged her career and married life in New York City, with a weekend respite in the country. After retirement she and my uncle made the country home their full-time residence. I can recall so much about the beauty of that home, walking along the dirt road, marveling at the fact that the post office was also the general store and gas station for the town. I remember going to the festivals with her and how much interest she took in everything there. Nothing was too small to catch her eye, no person not interesting enough to spend time talking with. Everyone in town who knew her adored her. She touched more lives than she could possibly know, simply in her immediate warmth and acceptance of all she met.
And of course, she loved animals. Even in her dying days in a nursing home hospital, her memory failing, she spoke of the animals she had loved. The memories of people and events were hazy for her, slipping in and out of clarity, but she never forgot her beloved pets. Just as I will never forget her.
I consider her one of the inspirations of my volunteer work. She made me want to reach out and help others, just as she had touched so many. We have probably all known special people in our lives and have been inspired by them. I wanted to share with you mine.
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