Auntie
Over the last few weeks, I was fortunate enough to listen to all kinds of people recount their collective memories of one special lady, Tim’s Auntie Susan. Last Saturday, the church was filled to capacity and people came in droves. All kinds of people. I heard tidbits about the kind of person she was, the kind of example she set. It was simply awesome.
When I first met Susan, she challenged me about a dilemma I was facing--her words I found to be direct, honest and truly valuable. A challenging approach you would hope to get from your closest friend--for me, Tim. He recently told me this way of provoking thought and reflection was something he inherited from his Auntie. It constantly forces us to discuss things well beyond the surface, to delve deeper into ourselves, to better understand one another. To constantly redefine what's most important in life.
One of Susan’s friends, Nancy, reminded me Thursday night that we had met several years ago when Tim had planned a scavenger hunt for me. One of his clues brought me to his Auntie’s apartment on Quebec Avenue in the High Park area. Each clue was hand written on textured paper scrolls, sealed with wax. Tim's "Apt 222" clue read:
I remember Susan to be very funny. Quick comments she’d audibly whisper over dinner at the Greggs or at Tim’s Nan’s house would make me laugh inside and think to myself what absolute wit. This past Christmas beside each place setting Susan left a little personalised bell ornament: snowmen for the gents, snowgirls for the ladies. Mine had “Nina” carefully handwritten in gold lettering. A small detail, but it made me feel great. She had this effect on so many.
Striking is what Tim uses to describe beautiful people, and this is how I’d describe his Auntie. Her vibrant smile and sparkly eyes were so strong on their own, that no matter what her hair length, she was beautiful. When Tim and I visited Susan a few weeks ago, she was at first asleep, and it saddened me to know that illness was robbing the gift of time from her. But when she awoke, bold humour escaped from her lips and made us smile again.
Through it all, I witnessed incredible strength, compassion and unconditional love from Susan’s family--my future in-laws. I also saw it in her extended groups of friends. One of Mrs. Gregg’s friends, Judy, said Susan was like a multi-faceted jewel, with so many sides to her that only together we were able to see. I thank God for the privilege of this lasting memory.
When I first met Susan, she challenged me about a dilemma I was facing--her words I found to be direct, honest and truly valuable. A challenging approach you would hope to get from your closest friend--for me, Tim. He recently told me this way of provoking thought and reflection was something he inherited from his Auntie. It constantly forces us to discuss things well beyond the surface, to delve deeper into ourselves, to better understand one another. To constantly redefine what's most important in life.
One of Susan’s friends, Nancy, reminded me Thursday night that we had met several years ago when Tim had planned a scavenger hunt for me. One of his clues brought me to his Auntie’s apartment on Quebec Avenue in the High Park area. Each clue was hand written on textured paper scrolls, sealed with wax. Tim's "Apt 222" clue read:
"You are about to cross the threshold of one of my favourite places in Toronto--or any place for that matter. It is a humble abode of tremendous PEACE & SERENITY. Once inside, you are going to meet anew my dear TATA: Auntie Susan."That afternoon, Susan exchanged with me 3 special keys for 3 special gifts: a butterfly bookmark, a sachet of lavender and a precious winged cherub.
I remember Susan to be very funny. Quick comments she’d audibly whisper over dinner at the Greggs or at Tim’s Nan’s house would make me laugh inside and think to myself what absolute wit. This past Christmas beside each place setting Susan left a little personalised bell ornament: snowmen for the gents, snowgirls for the ladies. Mine had “Nina” carefully handwritten in gold lettering. A small detail, but it made me feel great. She had this effect on so many.
Striking is what Tim uses to describe beautiful people, and this is how I’d describe his Auntie. Her vibrant smile and sparkly eyes were so strong on their own, that no matter what her hair length, she was beautiful. When Tim and I visited Susan a few weeks ago, she was at first asleep, and it saddened me to know that illness was robbing the gift of time from her. But when she awoke, bold humour escaped from her lips and made us smile again.
Through it all, I witnessed incredible strength, compassion and unconditional love from Susan’s family--my future in-laws. I also saw it in her extended groups of friends. One of Mrs. Gregg’s friends, Judy, said Susan was like a multi-faceted jewel, with so many sides to her that only together we were able to see. I thank God for the privilege of this lasting memory.
posted by nina-and-tim-gregg at 1:09 AM
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