Dear Auntie Pat,

I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know that I am thinking of you. As I embark on this project to share your letters I have had time to pause and reflect on our history. You lived in Ohio and I was raised in California. I think the first time we ever met was when I was 18 months old. My parents traveled to Ohio on the train for a Christmas visit. Of course I don’t remember that trip, but I remember years later you telling me about it and how you loved meeting me for the first time.

There were other visits through the years but my earliest recollection was around my 6^th birthday when my parents took me on an airplane for the first time and we came to visit you and grandma and grandpa. That was a glorious time for me. I remember the spectacular birthday party you hosted for me complete with a dress that was handmade to match the party decorations for all the guests. On that same visit you took me to my first movie, Mary Poppins. What I remember most though was the love and caring that I felt being in the presence of Grandma, Grandpa and you.

On my 18^th birthday you arranged my first adult trip and actually my first trip by myself. I boarded the Amtrak in Pomona, California and woke up the next morning in Flagstaff, Arizona where I was greeted by you and my grandparents. From there we traveled for days around the Southwest and Midwest, on our way back to Ohio where I spent the summer with you. Again you made me feel like I was the center of your world. You showed me your life, hard work for your employer, faith and dedication to your church, your passion for missionary work with the Native Americans, your warmth and humor with friends and neighbors, and your talent for all things crafty and thrifty.

A few years later I announced the engagement to the love of my life. You came out for our wedding and were so helpful with the preparation of our special day. You were always supportive of Nick and I as we built our lives together. We could always count on fun and exciting visits through the years. You shared our love of antiques and took us to some of the best places to find our treasures. We learned from you the value of re-use and re-purpose of heirloom quality items before it was cool.

Of course we were devastated when you were diagnosed with leukemia but were thankful for the time we got to spend with you during your treatment. You fought a valiant battle with the disease but the angels took you home in 1985 and we felt robbed of what could have been. I witnessed the pain and sorrow of my grandparents losing their only daughter. I miss you so very much.

Thank you for teaching me so many life lessons, but most of all for always being proud of me and loving me unconditionally.

Your loving niece,
Debbie