Wednesday, January 30, 2013

013013 CKC Quiet January Kit #2

This month has brought us a terrible loss. Our Aunie went peacefully home to Heaven early Sunday morning, January 13th. Although we knew she was in a decline we certainly did not expect to lose her this soon. We were able to get the whole family together which was a great comfort & blessing.


She looked lovely & aristocratic & some dear people helped us celebrate her homegoing. She would be thrilled to know that the congressman's children came to the funeral because they consider her family. We buried her with a watch on her wrist as she adored finding novelty watches, and we had them paint her nails as she used to do. One of the "girls" that worked with her in the congressman's office many years ago related a funny story of how Ann - who always ate her lunch at her desk - just this one time did her nails after she ate. Of course, someone came into the office right after & she was mortified because she couldn't shake hands! Aunie shared many delightful stories about what it was like to be on the campaign trail & to work on Capitol Hill as a congressional secretary. She saw a lot of history in her time in Washington D.C.

She was a hard worker, a generous woman who lovingly cared for her mother until her death at the age of 90. She was a Red Cross volunteer, a Pink Lady at a local hospital in Florida, she delivered Meals on Wheels, and ferried a number of "little old ladies" to the grocery every week. She taught me how to sew and to love crafting & quilting. She was an incredibly special person to my children all of their lives. She leaves a gaping hole in the fabric of our lives which we know will eventually mend as beautifully as her award-winning embroidery projects.

We traveled to West Virginia last week to bury her with her grandparents, parents & her big brother who died of polio at 15. The cemetery was just as my brother & I remembered it, although we must have been quite young the last time we were there. There is a beautiful view on that hilltop, and it was quiet & peaceful. A fitting place to leave the shell of our dear departed Aunie while she enjoys eternity with her Saviour. 

My second page from my CKC Quiet January kit is about that place.

After I had laid out the photos & chosen some things to add to the page, I stumbled across the transparency that included the gate & knew it would go perfectly right over those bright clouds in the large photo. The perfect counterpoint to the photo of the gate post to the cemetery. I like how the earthly one is so sturdy & grounded by comparison. That made me realize how perfectly the background paper surrounding the title looked joyful & light, so I traced around it in white ink. Tracing around the photo at the bottom in black gave me the final contrasting touch.



Until we meet again, Aunie...xoxoxo


6 comments:

  1. I'm not sure what your process was like putting this layout together, but based on the end result it looks like it was poetry in motion. Every detail here is just perfect. The bit of stitching would be a MUST and that overlay of the gate is so fitting. When did she spend her time in Washington...what administration(s)? What an intriguing lady! Truly a touching tribute to your sweet Aunie. May she rest in peace.

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  2. This page is perfect! Looooooove the gate overlay. As sassyscrapper mentioned, every detail is perfect. What a wonderful tribute to Aunie. Thank you for sharing a bit about her with us. I love the story about the time she did her nails :) May God continue to bring peace to your hearts every time you remember this incredible woman!

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  3. What a wonderful layout Leslie. I'm so sorry to hear about your loss but how lovely to have been able to be there for her. Thinking of you.

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  4. Leslie, Here I had e-mailed you and not realized your Aunie's passing. SORRY. I am thinking about you and your family during tis time. And praying. As I promised I'd be. Xxxxx Heidi

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  5. Lovely tribute page. Farewell to dear Aunnie. The little glimpses you shared, of her in your home, at this time, last year were so compelling, I feel as if I have lost an auntie also.

    There is a lot of love in your work, (photos and layouts) and it's leaking. (that's a good thing)

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  6. So incredibly sweet. I hope you are able to get the journaling on this blog post onto a page somehow. It's beautiful.

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