Tuesday, May 5, 2020
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I remember my Aunt Norma so fondly and there are so many memories that I have with her and Uncle George (who had an infectious laugh like my brothers). One of the memories I have of my Aunt Norma (which there were countless) was when my Aunt took me aside one time. I was probably 10 years old or so and there was another incident that seemed to fall upon me (sure they were caused by me). My parents were not around because I stayed over night at my Aunt and Uncle’s house in Maple, Ontario. I know I had made a serious transgression because my Aunt asked me to sit down at her kitchen table and she said, “David I need to speak to you”. Her voice was calm, but her eyes were very piercing looking directly at me. I did not say a word and I was frozen in my chair. She told me that my behaviour was not appropriate and that “my actions had consequences”. She finished speaking to me and told me that I should think about what I do the next time. I asked her if she was going to tell my parents about what had happened, and she said calming with those piercing eyes looking at me “No this is between you and me”. She then turned around and she gave me a plate of “Nanaimo Bars” which was my favourite sweet that she baked. She had this warm inviting smile that she always had, and she gave me a huge bear hug (which I cringed a bit, I was a boy and should not be hugged by a girl). Well, I thought she was right, my actions have consequences when I devoured the last bar. This discussion had an impact on me because I did not want to piss off the source of the Nanaimo Bars which are my favourite to this day after 50+ years. I named my Aunt “The Velvet Hammer”, she was one sharp Baker. Also, I will not divulge the particulars of the incident, it was between myself and my Aunt (even my parents never heard about this). I will miss the many times with my Aunt and those huge bear hugs she always gave me when I saw her each time. I guess I got used to girls hugging me.
My deepest condolences to Barbara and Bobby and family from her nephew David and family (Chantal and Michelle). Your mother was cut from an incredibly special cloth, she always thought about others and she always made you feel welcome and loved. Aunt Norma and my mother were extremely close and now they are together again with Uncle George and my father playing cards, most likely cribbage. They are probably laughing right now and checking Uncle George’s cribbage hand count.
