Hello, Nancy,

It is such a sweet gift —

permission to write you this letter.

God -as wonderful as we thought- gave me special permission

because something is coming

I am just to remind you of your reservoirs of love.

 

Remember in 1977,

when so many things were happening

turning you toward less dependent, more deliberate?

Oh, you didn’t see it that way.

 

The lay off,

the shut-off of the gas

and the phone,

paying the gas bill

only to find that the gas company could not reconnect

because there was a leak —

 

Those all seemed cruel facts of life,

but you were aware of the bills

from that point on.

Being a busy mom to two toddler boys,

a preschooler, and an almost first grader

kept you too dependent

but you needed to be aware.

 

That was also the summer when your cousin, Jimmy,

died from the motorcycle injuries.

 

You were right that God let me visit you

when the sadness felt too much to bear.

You knew that lovely scent of White Linen cologne,

as well as you knew that you were my dearest niece.

 

We both enjoyed dancing you around the living room

as your late afternoon fussing turned into giggles of delight.

As you grew to be a school girl

you loved getting up early to go to morning Mass

before I went to work,

we developed quite a bond.

 

You enjoyed being so loved — and somewhat spoiled. —

Losing Jimmy taught you

appreciate everyone while they are with you.

Your friends have been encouraged by the attention.

 

Your life has been blessed with a lot of love

sincere and generous love

in your parents, siblings, children, aunts

Do not waste time thinking of regrets.

God really does give us ALL that we need

when tough things come along.

 

That is how it is.

You will not always have the days or results you expected,

but you will always have loving care surrounding you.

God has you ready — and supported in the ways that count.

With Love from one of your favorites,

Aunt Leona Callahan