My aunt is a nun. Growing up I didn't really understand what this meant. I mean, I knew what a nun was, but she didn't ever seem like one. She was funny and kind and seemed just like a a regular person. Not like those "nun" nuns.
For one, she didn't wear a habit. Unlike Mother Superior in the Sound of Music, my Auntie E did not look or sound like her. She wore cords and ate ice cream. She told us the best stories of growing up with my father, and made me and my sisters laugh at her silly graces at dinner.
My dad's older sister, my Aunt lived near the water in Madison, at Mercy Center in Madison, CT. I have fond memories of visiting her there when I was little. Swimming in the ocean with the Archbishop, and listening to her play the guitar. She introduced us to her Sister friends, and taught us how to just "talk" to God.
But I didn't really get to know her well until I was older.
She lived in Vermont for a time, and showed me and my sisters how sheer a sheep. She came home for weekend visits now and again. I was living in Washington, DC when she was fist diagnosed with breast cancer. I was far away when she went through one of the most difficult times of her life. With strength, determination and an enormous amount of faith, she survived.
Since I have moved back home and started a familly of my own, my Aunt has been by my side. She now lives back in CT - in fact, I'm very lucky because she lives in town with her wonderful friend, Sue, who I'm lucky to also have gotten to know.
In 2009, my grandmother (E's mom) was moved into St. Mary's Home, run by the Sisters of Mercy. I would take my girls there a few nights a week for dinner and on the weekends, and we would meet Auntie E there. We would bring pizza, take Grandma for walks outside and put on shows for her and the other residents. My Aunt, much like my father, has the uncanny ability to make friends with everyone, and everyone at St. Mary's loved her, whether they knew her or not. She loved putting a smile on their face.
When the girls were little, she couldn't wait to come over and rock them. Offering babysitting services, art lessons and endless hugs we soon became fixtures at Auntie E's house. She and Sue have created an Art Studio in their basement and the girls can't wait to go over.
My Aunt has 4 nieces, 1 nephew, and 8 great nieces and nephews and one on the way. She always makes time for all of us. My sisters, cousins and I are very lucky to have her in our lives- she usually goes out of her way to host events so we can all get together.
I feel very blessed that my girls are growing up with their Auntie E. Or EEEEEEEEE as they call her. They have had movie nights, sleep overs and calligraphy lessons.
We talk almost daily, and I feel like I truly know her. We are more than just Aunt and niece - we are friends.
And now... almost twelve years later, her cancer has resurfaced.
It's unbelievably not fair. She has already been through so much. She goes through chemo and daily pain with grace and humility (and humor).She doesn't let on how much pain she is in, but I see it. She is tired a lot, but continues to do all of her sisterly duties, giving back to others, as she always does. I know she is going to be okay, I pray she is going to be okay.
A few weekends ago, my Aunt asked if it would be okay if she explained to the girls about her cancer and showed them her wig. I thought it was so so sweet, that she wanted to explain it to them. At 10 and 7 they are old enough to understand and hear what their Auntie E is going through. David and I had already shared with them what she had, but I knew they probably had more questions, and I thought it would be best if they asked her. I wanted to make the visit extra special, so we all dressed in pink, and took the girls to get pink hair extensions. They made her cards and signs, and hugged her tight. They loved her wig- especially the blue feather she had put in. (She is a fun aunt, allright.)
She shared with my girls that she has cancer, but takes lots of medicine to make her better, then bringing out her wig, explained that very soon she will start losing her hair, and will wear a wig when going out so she doesn't scare anyone with her bald head. lAnd just like that they laughed. She let them try it on.
I love to make her laugh, and love that she has a crazy sense of humor. Less like Mother Superior, and more like Maria, she loves to pull out her guitar and sing at every occasion.
My little one asked me a few nights ago if Auntie E is going to die. She had tears in her eyes. "One day, yes" I replied. "But hopefully not for a very long time."
Dedicated to serving for others, my Aunt is a Sister of Mercy first and foremost. She has voluntarily chosen to live a contemplative life of meditation and prayer. She is active in her vocation and serves the needy, the sick, the poor, and uneducated.
But she is also a daughter, a sister, a friend. And an Auntie. One that I am so very grateful for -- how blessed I am to have her in my life...
