I believe that everyone has those people in their lives, who are not necessarily blood relatives, but they are extremely special to us. As special as family. The first person that comes to my mind is my Aunt Mildred. My family has been going to church since I was a baby.  My first "non-family' mentor/angel/babysitter was Aunt Mildred. She was so wonderful and taught me so much. Of course we met her at church.

I remember when she would babysit us I would talk about the Bible and I was probably six or seven at the time. I didn't understand why God spoke to people in the Old Testament and not the New Testament. Oh Aunt Mildred just listened to me as I told her it was because Jesus would be coming because all of the people were sinning so much. I just wanted to be able to talk to God like Moses did. She was always opened to my ideas. And always had the best answers. Jesus did come. And look what he did for us... Funny that now her life is coming to an end during Holy Week.

Of course as I grew up I took Aunt Mildred for granted. Why have I done that to so many people in my life who have helped me? I can't stand that part of me. I just want Aunt Mildred to know how much she meant to me as well as my whole family. What an amazing, wonderful, sweet and good woman. I am very lucky to have an Aunt Mildred in my life. I just want her to know how much she was loved and how much she meant to us all...

Christine

               [Mildred went to be with the Lord on April 9, 2009.  Maundy Thursday]