Aunt Leona

     Lavonne told us this story when the family women were gathered for one of our weekend retreats years ago.  Aunt Leona was such a lady in the best sense of that image.  She was gracious and kind, had a natural poise, was wise and calm, always ready to listen....a woman we all looked up to.  She wasn't with us on this weekend because she was living in the nursing home and was physically and mentally unable.  We missed her very much.

     Lavonne:  "Sunday morning in our house when I was a girl was pretty hectic.  Dad was usually away holding revivals in distant churches.  So Mom got all of us kids ready for church by herself.  We dawdled as kids do.  Ruthie primped.  I couldn't find one patent leather shoe. Ralph snuck outside to play.  All the normal kid stuff. When Mom finally got us all shined up and packed up in the car,she told us to stay put, that she needed to go back in and check on the Sunday dinner roast in the oven. By that time the tone of her voice told us she was on her last nerve. 

     At first we waited quietly, then after a few minutes, not so much.  After another few minutes, I started getting antsy and decided to go see what was keeping her. In the kitchen my Mom was lying on the floor!  But she was laughing.....and laughing...so hard she was crying!  Her prim little pillbox hat with its mini veil was askew over one ear, one shoe was across the room, and her dress was twisted around her, her lacy slip showing.  She saw my worried face over her and patted my arm.to tell me she was okay.  She had slipped on some grease and gone down hard. When she  wasn't hurt, it struck her funny and after the stress of the morning she couldn't stop laughing."

 That picture of Aunt Leona is precious to me...one I have cherished. Even when events seemed to trip her up she could see the funny side and laugh.  Even at herself.