With love...

When I think of Aunt Arlene, my eyes fill with tears, tears of love and gratitude. My childhood was made so special by my time with all the Dean Family. I remember Uncle John would pick me up from home in his Toyota truck and we drive to the Dean home. I remember those drives, with such anticipation, of seeing everyone-especially Anna. I have many memories of Aunt Arlene, however one keeps coming back to me over the past few weeks. It was during one of our mother-daughter camping trip, we were in the pop-up camper, I am unsure of the actual location for this memory. What I do know and see was that it was early morning, quiet, and the air both cool and still. I was warm in my sleeping bag and awake, unbeknownst to Aunt Arlene. I would hear her rise and move softly, I would then hear the flicker of the gas stove being lit and her placing a kettle on. It is just these few moments I think of. Life outside the camper was unimportant, it was this warmth and peace felt inside. I love that I can go back to this memory anytime and be there again. Aunt Arlene made me feel so cared for and loved. I will always be grateful to her, but love her even more.