The pretty lady you see in the center of this photo is my dear Aunt Adelaide. This photo was taken two years ago at her 100th birthday party. Adelaide passed away peacefully yesterday. She was 102.When I was a little girl, my mother and I lived with her for a short time when our life was not going so well. Adelaide was my mother's older sister and best friend. She always had a house full of family. Her home was a treasure chest of beautiful things and happy days.
Adelaide was an true artist. She not only created a gorgeous home, she did beautiful oil paintings and had the most perfect gardens. The last time I visited her house the gardens were covered with snow. I remembered sledding down the hill as a child, running back up and going down again and again!
There was a lovely rock garden outside her kitchen. There were always little surprises tucked in there amidst the beautiful flowers. I know she place them there just for the children...
Her kitchen was one of the smallest I've ever seen! It was decorated in red and white. There was an old refrigerator and stove from the fifties. Lots of yummy cookies came out of that oven! They were always served with a big glass of cold milk. Adelaide never felt the need to modernize her kitchen. It was perfect just like it was!
"My" upstairs bedroom had two antique twin beds with crocheted bedspreads and handmade quilts. I love sitting by the dormer window and watching the birds in the big tree outside. There were little hiding places under the eaves and shiny hardwood floors that you could slide on in your socks. I loved that room. I also love sliding down the banister when no one was looking!
I hope you'll understand my need for all of these wonderful memories today. I hope they put a smile on your face and gratitude in your heart if your life has been blessed by someone like my dear Aunt Adelaide.
Adelaide never got to see the dollhouse I named after her. I'll have to tell her and my mother all about it when I get to heaven. I'm sure we'll have lots of time to talk then...
Blessings,
Kathi
