To All the Young Women in the Mountain View 3rd Ward

Special memories of my Aunt Elinor go back in my past as far as I can remember. She was married to my Grandma's brother, Uncle Pete. They were not able to have children of their own but that didn't stop her from "mothering" her nieces and nephews, and many other children.

Early memories include very special, personal birthday and Christmas gifts from her each year. I loved receiving towels and wash cloths with my name sewn on them. A Christmas never went by that we didn't visit Aunt Elinor and Uncle Pete as they shared their yummy treats and their many games and puzzles with us. I loved her kissing dolls with magnets in their lips. There was always something new to enjoy at their home.

My favorite times visiting her were when she would get the candy jar out for the kids, and then because she knew I liked nuts more than candy, she would sit and shell all kinds of nuts for me to eat while my brothers and sisters ate candy.

For a while the town post office was across the street from their home. I remember bundling up in a coat, gloves and boots to walk all by myself in the snow a few blocks to mail a letter. What I really looked forward to was being able to stop and visit Aunt Elinor on the way, and I remember how terribly disappointed I was one day when she wasn't home.

When I was around eight I was happy to have Aunt Elinor as a Sunday School teacher. She did many special things with our class, but I always knew I was the favorite. And with my brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, I also secretly knew I was her favorite. It wasn't until I grew up and got smarter that I realized so many others felt the same way.

Aunt Elinor was occasionally a substitute teacher in our schools, and when I was a pre-teen I remember how naughty the kids were to the substitute teachers. In my immature lack of wisdom I decided that it wasn't cool to be so close to a substitute teacher, even if she was my aunt, so I determined that that stage of my life should be over. For the big celebration on the 24"' of July, a friend and I marched and twirled batons in the parade, and after it was over, Aunt Elinor came up to me, put her arm around me and told me what a good job I had done. I'm embarrassed to admit, but I remember as if it were yesterday, I rolled my eyes, ducked out of her arms, and said nothing.

She found me later, and with a quiver in her voice, and probably a tear in her eye, she asked me what had happened between us. I totally melted, realizing what a jerk I had been recently and vowed never again to let peer pressure determine how I treated people.

When I was married I received a beautiful hooked rug that she had made from old wool suits. After I left home, Aunt Elinor and Uncle Pete retired and moved to St. George. Whenever Mike and I and the kids went to St. George, we couldn't leave without making a stop at their home. I wanted my children to also get to know them. Every one of my babies received a gift from Aunt Elinor, and my favorite baby shawl was hand made by her.

A few years ago Uncle Pete died and my brothers and sister and I made the trip to St. George for the funeral. Aunt Elinor gave me some pocket knives that had belonged to Uncle Pete, and I realized then that I have all I need to remember this Great Aunt: Wonderful memories that I can keep forever.

--- Sister Sally Meservy ---

December 1999
Written for an "Angels In Our Midst" card / packet
Given by the Young Women Leaders