Rosie

I get frustrated at times because I can't remember alot of things from my childhood and much of time I can't put things in the order that they occurred. I don't know why it is...but it's frustrating. And then this week I have had various little flashbacks that literally have taken me right back to that exact moment and a memory I didn't even realize that I had. Weird eh?

So yesterday I was driving on what I no know is 3rd Avenue North, just past Elmer's grocery store right near the police station-or cop shop as it's called here in yooperland. I take this route quite a bit as it's on the way to my dad's. I was waiting to turn left and noticed a woman pushing an umbrella stroller and beside the stroller were two other small little kids. BAM!! No I didn't get in an accident, but I didn't want to turn either. I was caught right there in that moment and back to when I was about ten I think. This particular woman was worn looking, kind of drab and the children looked sort of sad. I had crossed at this same spot with my Auntie Rose. It's was roughly August 15, 1981, I was with my aunt, my little baby cousin also in an umbrella stroller and Michael. My aunt wanted to take us the fair-it was preview night, which meant it was free to get in and the rides were cheaper. My aunt lived on the southside next door to my Grandma. She never had a car that I can remember and was not ever blessed with any wealth or good fortune. But she was the sweetest, most generous of spirits and I knew that she always loved us. So we walked that night to the fair. It's probably a couple of miles one way and I remember the burning of my feet along the way in the heat. We had a great time, went through all the barns, rode a couple rides, went through the Ruth Butler building. And then we walked back after dark.
My Aunt died just before her fortieth birthday, the youngest of my mom's family to pass away. And she also died of a heart attack. My heart ached this week for her. My two cousins struggling through life even worse than she did. What a difference salvation would have made.