Sunday, February 14, 2010

My Wonderful Aunts

This Valentine's Day is specially dedicated to my aunts.  We weren't a large family to start out with (Dad had two sisters--Shirley & Audrey--and Mom had one brother, Doug) and all that I have left from my parents' generation is Mom's brother Doug and his ex-wife, Arlene.  Fortunately Dad is still kickin' it in a large way (note to self: when you're sick, be upbeat--Dad's about to hit 84 and he is one happy fella).  Dad's oldest sister, Shirley, never married and we found out years ago that her long-time friend and roommate Irma was actually her long-time life partner.  Shirley left us about two years ago but in 2004 she sent me a note with a few things she wanted me to have.  Upon opening the package I found this old crumbling envelope carefully stuffed with some very, very precious items.
(Everyone lived in Milwaukee, WI.  This envelope was mailed in 1908 and check out how it was addressed!)

Two photographs (the other photo is of my dad at about three).  Helen Nolte was my paternal grandmother's sister.  Their full names were Helen Magdalena Nolte, or as we knew her, "Aunt Nain", and my dad's mom, Meta Natalie Nolte.  In this photograph, taken about 1917 at Lake Tichigan, WI, Aunt Nain is second from the left, my grandmother is far right, and my grandfather, George, is the hunky dude.  I assume the other two women were friends along for a day of fun at the lake. 

The other item, what was originally in the envelope addressed to Miss Helen Nolte in that lovely flowing script, was a valentine.  It was sent anonymously and Aunt Shirley didn't know who sent it.  I wonder if Nain knew who it was--even so, she remained a spinster all her life (not sure if she didn't marry for the same reason Shirley didn't, though). 

It's actually a 3-D valentine--here's what it looks like opened up:



Aunt Shirley's note started out railing against George W. Bush (or as she called him, "Shrub")--she was a dyed-in-the-wool life-long liberal Democrat and used to delight in calling my conservative Republican father after she'd had several glasses of wine and bait him into flying into a rage over things she said (fortunately, they came to terms with each other's quirks and aberrations and were quite close when she passed).  And then she wrote this:

"The Valentine enclosed was sent (anonymously and romantically) to my favorite aunt, Aunt Nain.  So, I'm sending it to you, my favorite niece.  It's one of my few treasures and I  know it will mean more to you than anyone I can think of."

That means more to me than all the chocolate, roses and heart-shaped cards in the world.  Shirley inspired me to go out on my own and be independent and certainly helped shape my political views.  I hope that someday one of my nieces (hopefully all three of them!) will look back and say, "That Aunt Gogie was sure one hell of a great aunt!  What a character!" 

Happy Valentine's Day to my family on both sides of the aisle!

PS to Mike:  I LOVE YOU, HONEY!!

15 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness Chris, what a wonderful treasure and story. And it kind of makes me think twice about "old maids" !!!!

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  2. A great tribute to aunt gogie and valentines day! deb

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  3. What a great story and I love that wonderful Valentine! It was so hard to live your true life back then but I'm glad you Aunt found happiness, I hope they both did. Love the legacy they have left you.

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  4. Your Aunt sounds like a great lady. That was a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing. Again, you are so fortunate to have so many family photos to treasure. Happy Valentines day to you (and Aunt Shirley).

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  5. How very nice she left those things to you :) Happy Vaelntines day Chris! <3

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  6. Beautiful story, thank you for sharing it with us all.

    Hugs,
    Meri

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  7. You could find a hundred old valentines, for 10 cents each, and they still wouldn't mean as much to you as this one does! How wonderful, and I think I would have liked Shirley verrrry much. Shrub. Ha!
    Happy Valentine's Day!
    Carol

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  8. You sure were the lucky niece to have gotten such great family treasures. It's fun to see the pictures too of family in their younger years and realizing they were once young too! Very nice and thanks for sharing. Happy Valentine's Day! Judi

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  9. How cool.

    You know, it's fascinating to me that the postal service could find people back then (I know towns were smaller, but still), and today, often times a letter won't even arrive with a full address! lol

    Thank you for my package, I posted about it a few days ago. ;-)

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  10. What wonderful family memories you have! Your Aunt Shirley sounds like she was a hoot! Thanks for sharing your special stories and valentines. Happy Heart Day and have a terrific week!

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  11. They're all lovely! Happy Valentine's Day! Please drop by my place to participate in a Valentine give-a-way!

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  12. I bet my Aunt Jesse knew your Aunt Shirley. They sound very similar. The Valentine is fabulous. Wouldn't you love to know the story behind it! Now, how do you choose which niece you leave this to?

    Happy Valentine's Day!
    Anna

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  13. What a great story....makes you wonder about the Aunts in families I know that never married....boy that is a sign of the times for sure! The Valentines are lovely. Have a wonderful day!

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  14. What an incredibly cool family you have/had. Not only to have an aunt you loved and admired, but loved and admired you right back! How awesome!
    __
    Barbara
    http://ifididnthaveasenseofhumor.blogspot.com

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  15. Loved your family stories. These made the cards you shared even more special!

    Isn't it wonderful how the old envelop was mailed. Even back then Milwaukee won't have been a small town, but that address was all that was needed!

    I have a postcard to a Buffalo, NY company about that time with just the company name and the city. Nothing else.

    Thank you for taking part in the Vintage Valentine Card Party today. xo Joan, your hostess

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