Sunday, March 9, 2025
Aunt Helen and I had the opportunity to share these memories many times. We laughed, cried, and reminisced about so many sweet moments. I want to share these stories with my cousins and everyone who loves her.
If I could sit beside Aunt Helen one more time, I would tell her these stories again…the things that made her so special to me throughout my life. She made a great effort to invest in this little girl…loving me and speaking words of kindness and love, creating opportunities to make my life sweeter.
My memories include visiting my grandmother and cousins in Ferris. Walking the sidewalks from the Jeffers’ house to my grandmother’s home was magical.
Oh, how we loved to play together! When Aunt Helen and the cousins visited Ft. Worth, my mother would fry chicken for three days with all the trimmings, and we would spend the day at Burger’s Lake. I can still see Aunt Helen and my mom sitting under that big tree in yellow lawn chairs, chatting away while we swam all day.
Aunt Helen was always scheming to set me up with a date for one of the local Ferris dances. I had so much fun! But my favorite story about Aunt Helen came after one of those dances. Once we got home, she said in her personality-plus way and twinkling eyes, “You want to go to Dallas and eat at El Fenix!” We all jumped in the car, laughed, sang the whole way there, enjoyed our meal, and kept the fun going on the way home. For this little girl, I had indeed arrived at the good life. Fun took on a whole new meaning! I had left the farm and ventured into the city. I would always remind her and thank her for that incredible experience!
I remember another time when we shared our hurts and pains, but Aunt Helen was an eternal optimist! I have seen her walk through some of the darkest days, yet she never lost her smile or laughter and was determined to face life like the little engine that refused to give up or give in.
I remember my mother, Aunt Ophelia, and Aunt Helen taking a special vacation to Hawaii. As their conversation shifted to aches and pains, bills and pills, Aunt Helen made a family proclamation that all discussions on this trip would be positive and uplifting. She kept everyone on track, and they had a marvelous time!
Several years ago, Janice and I drove to Ft. Worth and took Aunt Helen lunch. It had been several years since we had been together. We had a blast! Aunt Helen kept us laughing and told so many stories. She was a master storyteller. We peppered her with questions about the family and our heritage, and she was sharp as a tack.
She told us a cute story from high school. She wanted to borrow Red’s car, and he lovingly agreed, but he told her she had to stay in town. With her mischievous spirit, she enjoyed her freedom and ended up driving to another little town. However, something happened to the car, and she had to humbly call her brother. Instead of scolding her, he understood his adventurous little sister. He came and got her. She fondly remembered what a great brother he was as she laughed at her shenanigans.
Only weeks before she passed, I got to have one last visit with her. I found her in the middle of about 30 residents watching a movie. As I walked over, took her hands, looked into her eyes, and started to remind her who I was, she immediately stood up and, in her adorable country twang voice, began introducing me to all her friends right in the middle of the movie. At 93, she was still the center of attention, the belle of the ball, the star of the show, with a smile and personality that won every heart, with eyes that twinkled with the joy of life.
Aunt Helen, you have been and will always be a treasure to me. I love you dearly and will cherish these precious memories for the rest of my life. You are one of a kind!
Love you forever!
Jeanne
