Saturday, December 31, 2022
Butch and Brenda and John and Peggy, my heart aches for you and the rest of your family (our family), but my heart is also full with so many beautiful memories of my Aunt Betty.
Aunt Betty would always welcome me with her bright beautiful smile and her warm embrace, and she never failed to let me know just how much she loved me. Whether years had passed since I had last seen her made no difference to Aunt Betty; she would always let me know that she was proud to be my aunt and proud that I was her nephew. As a young child, I remember her calling out to my dad: "Steve," to get his attention. Even as a child, I could sense in the tone of her voice just how much she loved her older brother (my Dad!). That really made me feel special and important, too!
Aunt Betty was always so supportive of me and my dancing and always loved reminiscing with me about how much she loved to dance, too. I really think that Aunt Betty was so thrilled that she and I had a common love of dancing that made our relationship even more special.
Such wonderful memories growing up traveling (sometimes in snowstorms) to Aunt Betty and Uncle Butch's house for Christmas! I remember the excitement and the warmth with which Aunt Betty would greet us upon arrival.
Aunt Betty could bake like no other (especially at Christmas), but the special ingredient that made her baking so excellent was the love and care that she would put into it. Always giving and always sharing her love with others through baking. It is so sad for me to realize that with Aunt Betty's passing, I have no living aunts and uncles remaining on this earth. Nevertheless, I'll have to seek comfort in knowing that, although they are passed, I've been blessed and privileged to have had such loving aunts and uncles in my life. Rest in peace, sweet dear Aunt Betty, while you bake up a storm in Heaven! You are forever in my heart.
