Aunt Evelyn

An eloquent style and extensive vocabulary would come in handy right now. I want to describe Aunt Evelyn in such a way that she will not be forgotten and will inspire even those who never knew her. It was, in fact, after a visit to her house that I entered into the blogging world several years ago. You can't help but want to try something new after spending an afternoon at "the homeplace."
At 96 years old she passed away on Thursday there in the home that she built with her husband and where they raised their five children, who were there with her. How beautiful is that? She collected thimbles, watched for cardinals, cheered on the Wildcats, and in all 96 years she only went to the hospital once ~ to deliver her fifth child.

"Aunt" Evelyn was actually the wife of my great-grandfather's brother. In this close-knit family that also means she was one of our nearest neighbors when Philip and I first moved here. (There are still six homes occupied by our family on the land that our ancestors bought when they came from Germany in 1846.) That winter (2004) Aunt Evelyn's daughter hired me to sit with her mom in the afternoons. How many young 22 year old wives get to spend hours upon hours with a godly woman of 92? I would read to her and she would tell me stories of her life. There is no question who received the most blessing from our time together.

It was evident this whole week that her work on earth would soon be done. At the same time that we were expecting that call, we were also anticipating a call from Arkansas about the much anticipated delivery of our first neice or nephew. (Hasn't happened yet.) Wondering who it was each time the phone rang this week was a striking reminder of the circle of life.

"But you, O Lord, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations." Psalm 102:12