My Favorite Aunt

Submitted by: Irishcoda at Snapshot Memories
I really think the song “Sisters” (from the movie White Christmas) was written with my mother and my aunt in mind. My mom and aunt are the youngest in a family of six children; both are deaf and both went to the same school in New York City. In this picture, my aunt is standing, looking down lovingly at my mother. They’ve always been really close.

The school they went to was Lexington School for the Deaf and in those days (the 1930s), the educational philosophy there was oralism (not signing). Not only was signing forbidden, the kids were taught that there was something nasty about it and so my mother and aunt were ashamed about using their hands to communicate. Isn’t that sad?

The repressive attitude stayed with my aunt throughout her life. Out in public, her signs were always small and close to her body. She seemed very shy and inhibited but a great spark of humor burned within her.

Some other impressions of my aunt: she loves me a lot, is over protective and bossy (but it’s out of love), and she loves to tease and have fun. She wouldn’t let me cross the road with my 5year old cousin (I was 15) to buy a sand bucket but she loved playing practical jokes on everyone.

Here is a typical joke of hers: dropping ice down your back. The victim this time is my uncle.

When my brother was 25, he was singing “Happy Birthday to me” as the rest of us serenaded him.

My aunt decided to surprise him just after he blew out the candles.

Just check out the look on her face! Is that someone who enjoys life or what?

For whatever reason, my aunt took a special shine to me. Maybe it’s because I am my mother’s daughter. She always wanted me to come and stay over with her, my uncle and my cousins. When I was younger, I had a severe case of separation anxiety and so I was always reluctant. One time I finally agreed and she was so excited. She always made a special effort to talk with me…and this was when I didn’t know any sign language at all. That’s a long story best saved for later.

Once I did learn how to sign, my aunt and I would spend hours just chatting. Now she lives in Georgia-at least part of the year-with the 5 year old who grew up and became a wife and mother herself.

After my uncle died, a lot of the spark went out of my aunt I’m sorry to say. She still has a good sense of humor but it’s just not the same. Still, I have very happy memories.

 

Submitted by: Betty’s This and That

Aunt Georgia was my favorite Aunt for many reasons. She and I used to have long telephone conversations, and I could talk to her about anything. She was a good listener. She liked to crochet hanging kitchen towels and gave me several of those over the years. She passed away about four years ago, so I had to learn to make my own kitchen towels. I love to crochet, but I never would have taken it up if it had not been for Aunt Georgia.

I was in an automobile accident when I was young and got a bad break in the upper part of my right leg. I had surgery where a metal pin was put in to help the leg to mend. Afterwards, my leg was very stiff. The doctor told me I needed to loosen the mussels in that leg or else I would have a limp the rest of my life. I was single at the time so I went from the hospital to my Mom and Dad’s. Mom tried to work with me, but the pain was very bad when I tried to bend it. I think it hurt my Mom to see me in so much pain, so Aunt Georgia volunteered to let me come and stay with her for a couple of weeks so she could work with me to loosen the mussels. She put me in a straight chair and worked with me until gradually mission was accomplished.

I used to take Aunt Georgia with me sometimes when I went to see my Mom who lived about 30 miles from us. We had fun together during these times, and when we left Mom’s we would stop on the way back for ice cream.

I have some good memories of my Aunt Georgia.