Aunt Betty
My Aunt Betty passed away on Sunday. Her memorial service is tomorrow. The memory of her that stands out most in my mind is one from when I was younger - grade school age. She was sitting at my mom’s dining room table. Us kids were playing around on the floor. She called me over… “Psst, honey, come here”. She slipped a quarter into my hand, “Don’t tell your mom I gave you that”
She was like that. Their relationship was like that. I’m not really sure if she felt sorry for mom, superior to her, jealous of her & her big family, when she only had one child (who was, I believe, adopted, not that that matters, but it may play into the dynamic).
When I think of Aunt Betty, I see her with a cocktail in one hand & a cigarette in another. She always seemed glamorous to me. She reminded me of Lucille Ball - not the wacky Lucy, but the fabulous Hollywood star - A mother with a family, but still dressed, coifed & made up to be ready to entertain guests.
If there is a heaven or afterlife, I’m sure she’s there now - the life of the party.
