FOR A MOMENT I WAS A LITTLE GIRL AGAIN

It was the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. I could smell the tall pines around me. The babbling, rocky Sacandaga River was near by and I was a little girl again. It must have been in the late 1940's because my eyes just reached the edge of the picnic table on our campsite at the Sacandaga Campground near Wells, New York.

I was looking up at my mother and Aunt Ruth who were at the picnic table laughing like two friends who have known each other for years laugh. The women were friends who loved being in the woods camping with their families. My Dad and Uncle Ken were probably off with my brother Bobby and cousin Wink fishing for dinner. Both of these women were important to me.

How nice it was to see them gab and laugh as two old friends would. They were enjoying the peace of the moment, the mountain air, the river and the day.

WOW – WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?

The red light had just turned green and I was pulled back to life's reality from that campground. Thank goodness there was no traffic in Grimsby, Ontario that day. I had to give my head a shake. I was driving my car.

It was Wednesday afternoon and I was on my way to the IGA to get something for dinner.  I ran into my mother and aunt on the way.

It was the 1990's.  My mom died in 1986 and I hadn't seen Aunt Ruth and Uncle Ken for what seemed like forever.

I continued on to the store with a smile on my face, remembering.

That weekend when I spoke to my Dad on the phone, we chatted for awhile and before he hung up he said, "Oh, by the way, Aunt Ruth passed away …on Wednesday". Now there was a lump in my throat.

The two old friends are together again.  My Aunt Ruth was dead. She said good-bye and Mom came along let me know she was not alone, she was okay. What a beautiful way to do that for me.

Thanks Mom and Aunt Ruth for that journey down memory lane and the wonderful memories you both gave me to keep close to my heart while you were alive.