Auntie
Most of us have that favorite aunt or uncle. The one you are so excited to visit or have visit you. The one who brings laughter to your lips, cooks your favorite meals, and reads you your favorite bedtime story long after you have become too old for such a ritual. Mine was Auntie so loved and cherished that she needed no other distinguishing name. But life can cause separations, violent and difficult divorces, that lead children away from those members of the family they are no longer allowed to see. And, the worst separation is a too soon death and not even being aware of the resting place of that beloved family member.
My Auntie died in Miami, Florida. She and my Uncle Louis lived in Biscayne Bay. The relatives I have been tracing through my Family Tree are in cemeteries in the counties of Polk, DeSoto, Hardee, and Hillsborough. Never would I have imagined that I would find Auntie's resting place in the same small town in Orange County I now call home. She was there 14 years ago when my daughter was married in the church visible from her grave but I never knew.
It took the Ancestry site to reconnect me to Auntie and help me discover that Uncle Louis's parents were from Mirabello Sannitico Italy and the Caiella family changed their name once they came to America. I hope you are finding that special aunt or uncle too. It felt really wonderful to see Auntie's grave and say a prayer of Thanksgiving for family.

They say there are no coincidences. So glad you found her so near. <3
ReplyDeleteI just couldn't believe it.
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