Wednesday, January 23, 2013

It is hard to say good-bye to these dear women

This month, within the span of a week's time, I lost two very special ladies: my beloved Aunt Barbara and my dear Great Aunt Molly.

Barbara
Molly
It is hard to say good-bye to these women.

They each lived many states away from me, and that has been the case for most of my years (with the exception of my early childhood and a few years about a decade ago when I had the joy to live close to one of them). Yet, they each figured largely in my life in ways that they may not have even realized.

First as a child, then as a young lady and a grown woman, I have often looked to the women in my family for inspiration and example. I have gained courage for my own life through their stories, their struggles and their vibrant personalities. They have walked ahead of me on the journey through girlhood into adulthood, but we share so much - the same larger than life ancestors who have helped to shape us; the same struggle to make sense of and to find courage for the challenges in the life of a woman.

I have often been inspired by the stories of women ancestors that I never had the chance to meet, yet these dear aunts have touched me in a special way. Both had lively personalities, a great sense of humor, and unrelenting strength of will which gave them the ability to overcome their own personal difficulties. I will remember Barbara especially for her warmth, openness and honesty. I will remember Molly for her delightfully spunky personality. I have been blessed that my life crossed paths with each of theirs, if even for short time, and that I have had the gift of their sweet and strong influences over the years.

Rest in peace, sweet ladies. You are both very dear to my heart.

(This tribute to my aunts Barbara and Molly has been cross-posted over at my blog Small-leaved Shamrock.)

4 comments:

  1. I am new to blogging and am taking time to look around at other blogs. I really like your template. I am going to have to figure out how to do tabs.

    Betty

    http://hooverhistory.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  2. Welcome to the genealogy blogosphere, Betty!

    I'm glad you stopped by and what you see. The design of a blog definitely takes time to evolve. In fact, I don't think I have ever been completely happy with each of my blogs' designs at the same time! I'm always wanting to rework something.

    The best to you as you begin to navigate blogging and blog design!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I loved to meet you, and maybe you can help me find my family history in Hungary!! my parents came to Brazil, after a few hard years in Austria, were I was born !! I have been trying to work on our family history, but mom never put together to much!! What/How can I do to work on my history!!?? my challenge is that my Hungarian language worked with during young years only in Hungarian scouting is not good!! not many to speak it with...almost all gone!! but I have a very strong desire to work on our history, but parents never spoke much or left records on their history, they left us in 1993 and 1995...maybe the war was so heard...so if you can help me anyway would be very appreciated. After looking for things for a long time only now I see more things in the internet, but lot of it in Hungarian pages...my sadness !! I would love any info on what/how to work on!! thank you!! xoxo!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Ilona!

      I took way too long to respond to your comment here. I apologize for the delay. I have published a guide to Hungarian genealogy that I hope you'll find helpful as you search for your roots in Hungary. You can learn more at http://100inamerica.blogspot.com/2013/12/my-new-hungarian-genealogy-quickguide.html. I wish you the best with your search! Please email me if you have any specific questions that I can help you with.

      Delete

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