Today...

...Would have been my great aunt Irva’s 96^th birthday.  I miss her tremendously.  She was the one I could, without any hesitation, count on her to have faith in me my entire life before she passed away a year and a half ago.  It’s a bittersweet day, full of memories.

Irva was the quiet one in the family.  She went about her business, accomplishing everything she set out to do without making a fuss or drawing attention to herself.  She was a sixth-grade teacher her entire working life.  I remember going to lunch with her forever and having a handful of people stop to chat with her about the impact she had on there lives.  It happened no matter where we went in Carlisle.  Those that didn’t know her from school knew her for her lovely voice.  She spent 70 years in the church choir and over the years sang at many weddings.  Between the two occupations, she left a wonderful legacy.  I’m sure I could go back to the places she frequented and still find people missing her.

In her honor, I took today off and did fun things.  As a child, I remember going to the Carlisle Farmers Market.  I couldn’t get there today but I did go wander the Leesport Farmers Market, a place I know she would have enjoyed.  I even found a few orange and white kittens who resembled her cat, Puffy, to "fuzz" while I was there. I had lunch with the Little One who has adopted me as her aunt.  I even had a few bites of a decadent double chocolate brownie with hot fudge and ice cream.  I know Irva would have liked that.

As long as I have my memories, I know Irva will not ever be truly gone.  So happy birthday, Irva.  I love you.