Saturday, May 26, 2012
Uncle Bill, John, Roxanne, (Uncle Will, Aunt Effie, Uncle Herbert, Aunt Ella) Ever since I got the news of her illness and now, her passing, my thoughts have been drawn back to Aunt Stella and all of you when I stop and take pause in my busy life so far away from home. I cannot help but feel so heartbroken and sad. I wish I could be there to offer a hug, a kind word or some other measure of support to you. Aunt Stella was an exceptional woman with a heart of gold and whose generosity and love knew no bounds. Along with my own parents, she helped to raise me from the earliest days of my life and, indeed, contributed to saving my life on at least one occasion when I was a small baby living, with Mom and Dad, in her little house on top of that big hill in the days when our own house was being built on Dunn's Hill Road. My first home was her home. Some of my earliest memories are of being under her watch and care along with Mom and Dad. In recent years, I have always delighted in visiting her during my Christmas vacations and catching her and Uncle Bill when I visited the other aunts and uncles on the shore. Aunt Stella was always there with a smile, a cup of tea, a biscuit and a dozen questions about what was going on in my life. She was always genuinely interested in what I was doing and took great pleasure hearing my stories. She was always ready to share, too, her stories of the newest happenings in her life, whether it be the last foolish joke she got in an email or the time she got lost with Uncle Bill while up visiting Roxanne. There were always fond memories and good laughs. This summer, I know it will be tough to go back to my first home on the hill and not have that again. I will miss her dearly. I wish for you all the courage and fortitude you will need over the coming days and weeks and pray that you will be comforted by the many positive and happy memories of good times spent together with Aunt Stella. Know that my heart, thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless you all. Gordon
