in loving memory - shirley eva mary rau

Monday evening I returned from a quickly planned trip to Calgary - home. This trip I was reminded that Alberta was and always will be my home. It's where most of my memories were born and all of my family reside.

Last month, my Aunty Shirley suffered a brain aneurysm at home with my Uncle Mike. Over the days that followed she showed signs of real hope but then suffered a massive stroke that essentially killed her. She was 60 years old. A year younger than my Dad and one older than my Mom.

She was a good woman - hard working, loyal, active in all her kids' and grandchildren's lives and a fine host. She, my Uncle and my cousins hosted Rhonda and me over weeks at their farm during our childhood summers and holidays.  Some of my fondest, most acute memories are from those times: swimming in the rivers, berry picking, collecting eggs from terrifying chickens, marshmallow roasts, sledding down their back hill, dirt biking through their woods, taunting cattle, helping to birth pigs, butchering chickens, eating fresh garden peas, wrestling and exploring. In looking back I remember my aunt led most of those outings and was eternally patient with a house bursting with children and noise.

I do not consider myself a sentimental person but in this case I have to admit that I can hear her voice clearly and see her bright smile. I feel very sad for my cousins and Uncle. Ten years ago they lost our cousin Michael and now their matriarch. I wish them all peace, comfort and love.

I wish I had taken photos at the gathering that followed the funeral. It evolved into quite a happy one. I spoke to cousins and in laws that I hadn't had the chance to in years, decades and some ever. I got to see my cousins' children run around like we used to. As my Mom and I walked to the car I had a final hug from my dear cousin Elizabeth and remarked that it felt like Christmas. Like we were leaving a joyful family gathering from our childhood. So for that I thank you Aunty Shirley. I thank you for bringing me home and for the reminder of what a big family feels like.

This was taken that day by my Dad's cousin Geraldine. My mom unfortunately was chatting across the hall so we missed including her.

All my love, Aimee