Aunt Nancy

[vaneramos]

Aunt Nancy on the beach at her cottage with Marian, Laura, Gillian and Brenna


I view Mom's relatives as blue-collar rednecks, but that's unjust to her youngest sister, whom we visited in Nova Scotia. I had intended to stop for a few hours, but Aunt Nancy and Uncle Jack hadn't entertained relatives in years and insisted we stay in their cottage, 10 minutes from the house. We received the red carpet treatment. One night Nancy, Marian and I settled down to a feast of sweet corn, steak and the best lobster I'd tasted in decades. We also saw cousin Tracy and her three children.

Nancy owns the gift shop at Upper Clements Park. She took me there with the five children the morning before we left. While the kids went on rides, Nancy and I gossiped.

"What about you?" she asked. "Are you seeing anyone?"

I hesitated before saying, "I have a boyfriend."

It took her by surprise. My head was spinning. I can't remember her response, but it was benevolent, and I gave her a hug. Later she said, "A few hours together and we get to know each other more than in all those years."

Then it was time to leave. Nancy hugged me and said, "Have a good life. Be happy."







The lake







Nancy and Jack's cabin where we stayed two nights

Comments

[dakoopst.livejournal.com]

That is a truly wonderful experience for you.

I'm glad she was benevolent, and wished you well -- it's good to know that we have those out there like her.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I never intended to tell her, but kind of walked into it by telling her about cousin Jim and his wife coming to see us on their honeymoon in July. It's a good lesson when people have more compassion than I give them credit for.

[justapostcard.livejournal.com]

Yes! wonderful to hear.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

And I'm glad to hear you're safely home, too. :-)

[shawnsyms.livejournal.com]

That's wonderful. I'm very happy to hear it.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear you had such an enjoyable voyage, too, and that you're back safely.

[shawnsyms.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Van. :0)

[poetbear.livejournal.com]

how sweet to find a relative that is so
understanding. ~paul

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

It's nice to find a compassionate spirit in unexpected places.

[poetbear.livejournal.com]

yes it is.~paul

[writer00.livejournal.com]

What a lovely and hopeful experience. Thank you for sharing it.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome.

[ubermunkey.livejournal.com]

have a good life and be happy

it really is that simple isn't it

be well
connor

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

It's the best advice anyone could give or take.

Cheers,
Van

[thewindrose.livejournal.com]

You can see the strong family resemblance between the lovely ladies in the photo, especially in Gillian and Brenna.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I noticed it in this picture after I posted it. It's funny none of us noticed it at the time. Aunt Nancy pointed out that Brenna looked like another cousin's child, and Marian looks like my mother. I saw a resemblance between Laura and my nephew.

[blt4success66.livejournal.com]

Van, I love your words but I love your pictures even more. It's dessert for the eyes.

Thank you.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Paul, thank you. That's an interesting comment; we live in a visual culture.

[blt4success66.livejournal.com]

I know this is going to strange but there was a Frank Zappa song that was one of his last videos and I think it was "g-spot" something or another but in the video there was glimpses of female genetalia or what was made to look like it.

I was drunk when I watched it so I could be wrong...but I probably wasn't, given it was Frank Zappa!

[leafshimmer.livejournal.com]

What a sweetheart your aunt is. I hope the girls enjoyed the stay in the cabin--looks like a little corner of Heaven to me.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Yes, it was a piece of heaven. The site reminded me very much of my family's place on Lake Fletcher. Ironically Mom and Nancy have never seen one another's cottage properties. The differences between the cottages themselves are not so subtle and reveal differing priorities.

[trinapink.livejournal.com]

"Have a good life. Be happy."

As benediction's go, that's a good one.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

One of the best.