My Aunt Marie passed away yesterday leaving a legacy of music, love, laughter and joy. She was my dad's sister, growing up during the depression and World War II. Never having children of her own, my sisters, brother and all our cousins became her children. She knew us all well, because she was interested in all our lives and loved us all so much. I became close to Marie through our shared love of music. Marie had a beautiful contralto voice. She sang in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for over twenty years. When I was twelve, she became my singing teacher. Each week I would go to her home, where she shared her knowledge and love of music with me. This went on until I turned sixteen, when she passed me on to another teacher. The knowledge of music given to me has served me well throughout my life, but the love and passion she felt for music was her most precious gift to me. That is something I will always be grateful to her for. The other night, when she could not speak, I sang a few of our old songs. She actually joined in and harmonized as well. I was swept away to my grandparents backyard. It was a summer evening, years ago..the family was gathered, we were all singing under the stars, Marie's lovely voice, laughter, love....
because God made you, that's why I love you.
2 comments:
that's lovely...it was so sweet when you were singing with marie...it brought kerry and me to tears...one of my favorite memories..
Polly....I did not know that you had singing lessons from Marie--what fun that had to have been. Loved our dress-up parties with all of Aunt Rhee's clothes and jewelry.
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