Aunt Lynn Part 2: My encourager

If you missed part one, you can find it here.

Aunt Lynn,
Thanks for being an encouragement in my life. I don't have a lot of memories of you from my younger years. You were busy raising your boys and I don't think we spent a lot of time with you. What I do remember though, is that you were always fun and always enjoyed laughter and simple things. I don't always appreciate your humor, but I do appreciate your heart behind it. You love to make others laugh and to bring joy on their faces. As I look back at my life, I think all of my thoughts of you can be wrapped up in one word...encouragement. Whether directly or indirectly, you have always encouraged the concept of carpe diem...seize the day...make every moment count...enjoy the small things.

When I graduated high school, you gave me a copy of Wouldn't Take Nothing for my Journey Now by Maya Angelou. Inside, you inscribed a note telling me how proud you were that I was the first in our family to go to college, that you loved me and you encouraged me to never give up and go after my dreams. While I was in college, you often sent me notes of encouragement and packages filled with goodies like Reese's peanutbutter cups. I didn't often let on that I was homesick, but you have no idea what those notes and cards meant to me. One of those packages was huge. When I went to check my mail, there was a note in my box to go to the Dean's office. I wondered which of my episodes of college mischief had landed me this honor. I was quite relieved to get there and discover the package was simply too big to keep in the little mail room. The dean's office was nearby so they sent it there. In that package was a blanket, do you remember that? It was fleece and a flurry of dark colors...brown, navy, burgandy. I still have that blanket and sleep with it every night. It wasn't just a cozy blanket for me, but it symbolized the love and support of my family, so far away. As I've walked away from big dreams and found joy in smaller, simpler ones, you have remained one of my biggest cheerleaders. More than once, I've heard you stand up for me when someone disagreed with a choice that Kev and I have made. I'm pretty sure you don't always "get" our decisions, but yet you stand by us. You've encouraged me in my writing and it means way more than I could ever tell you. I know some think I threw away my college education. I've heard comments that I'm less than smart for "staying home and popping out babies". Some remember that all I ever wanted to do was be a doctor and they think what a pitiful waste that I'm not able to pursue that. Not you, You have always encouraged me to reach for my dreams and you've been one of the first to support me when those dreams have changed. Thank-you, Aunt Lynn for loving me, making me laugh and encouraging me along lifes journey.



Uncle Tom and Aunt Lynn 2010