Actually, a near century has ended when you consider the sisterhood of Big Mama and Aunt Kate. Aunt Kate passed away on Thursday. The kids and I were blessed to spend time Mother’s Day weekend with her.
And, I’m beginning to think that Aunt Kate’s sassiness was inherited by my five year old. I’m not sure, but I think had Anna been a teenager post the crash of ’29, she would have cut her hair short, smoked a cigarette, and looked down a well in the month of May in hopes of seeing her true love’s reflection. Just like Aunt Kate did. Hence, my great task of parenting her intentionally.
Of course, I did dip snuff with Aunt Kate when I was a young one. Well, I’d put a tissue down my blouse like she did and she’d give me a red Dixie cup to spit in. Okay, to spit my cocoa in. Nonetheless, her personality was contagious enough to want to mimic.
And while I’ll miss her always telling me, “Love ya, babe,” no one will miss her like Big Mama. Orphaned at very young ages and raised by their eldest siblings, they endured a Depression together, times of war together, good times, and trying times. Big Mama married one Edward Goss. Aunt Kate married his brother, Van. They never closed their eyes to sleep without one calling the other to say, “Goodnight, sweet dreams, I love you.” Ever.
On the day Aunt Kate died, she called, “Callie Mae!” Big Mama made her way to her side. Aunt Kate didn’t say a word, but Big Mama just knew what she wanted to say.
“Goodnight, sweet dreams, I love you.”
A sisterhood that lasted 91 years. I really can’t imagine.
You’ll be missed, Aunt Kate. I love ya, babe.
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