The phone rang and it was my mother.

She paused, of course I had to call her back, after all, I was in a hurry.

When I returned her call, she said in "slow motion" that my great aunt had passed that morning.

As usual I was focused and in a rush to pick up my son from daycare.  All I could muster as I blocked my memories, was that I was really sorry to hear that.  Even as I said it, I though how harsh is that and is that really coming from my mouth?   

I grew up with my great aunts.  My mom was an only child, so all I had as female influences were my great aunts, 8 of them.  Now only 1 left living.

Now all I can think of is the impact she must have had on my mom when she was very small.  Then years later, the influence her grace shed upon me.... I shall always remember her and how close she and her sister, Mama Rose were.  They would talk on the phone for hours on end.  Complete unconditional love they shared in conversations along with the occasional "You don't mean?" and all the other old fashioned phrases they used.  They all made sense back then.  Now and again they come back to me and a friend calls me on it....Everyone knows where I came from. 

I will miss her the same as I miss that generation, that time.  A time when things were different.  Although they may never be the same, I can always remember.  And, my memories are the fondest. 

When I think of Aunt Raydo I think of rubies, diamonds and Dr. Pepper cookies, oh! and the smell of Youth Dew.  She will be missed.  I know she is having teatime with her sisters and my Mama Rose talking about their lives and how blissful everything is now in Heaven up above.  That gives me peace and that's all that I know.