Growing up in TN as a hyper child (pre-adderol) his family had their hands full with this hyped up little blond hair, blue eyed devil. He was always getting in to things. If there was a box, he would open it. If there was a radio laying around, he would take it apart.
The child was passed around from Aunt to Aunt to instill their values in him and share the amount of energy he possessed. His parents worked allot and were not around very much.
As time passes, each Aunt had their methods for handling his A.D.D. One Aunt would make him write, over and over and over, until his hand-writing would be perfect. She also was a firm believer in making him smell the paint in the corner. Another Aunt would let him listen to music on record players and dance. She would also tell him ghost stories that would last for what seemed like forever. The another was the "cool Aunt' with the "cool car and cool house". This is the house we went to EVERY Halloween. Nice houses = Great treats
The other Aunt would come up with more creative methods to harness the energy.
This Aunt was Tempie. She would teach him things that she would learn from the Encyclopedia (yes, the books, not the Internet) To this young boy, this Aunt was the smartest person in the world. He looked at her with amazement and would think...one day, I hope to grow up to be like her...smart.
Her methods, while exhausting, would tire the boy out and he would fall asleep. To name a few of these time consuming activities....He was told, if you sprinkle salt on a birds tail, it wouldn't be able to fly and then he would be able to catch it. He would spend hours chasing birds around with no success. Another situation involved catching lightening bugs and cutting their tails off. If he collected enough, he would be able to sell them to someone and make money. (this to a kid who grew up in rural TN was very appealing). In the summer, He was told to catch June Bugs and tie a string on their legs to walk them like a pet...all were just a well planned scheme to keep this little one occupied and out of trouble.
This boy would get in trouble with his parents and he would run to her house, which was next door, to be protected. He was never let down....never turned over to the parents for the beating I'm sure he deserved.
Sadly, this Aunt passed away recently. She left behind many people who she touched. She was loved by many.
Its difficult to say good-bye to someone who taught you to tie your shoes, someone who taught you your multiplication tables, how to write to a thousand in Roman Numerals, someone who fed you and made sure you had good moral values instilled in you that would last you a life time. Values and the desire to succeed in life.
This boy was me...and my Aunt will be missed. I know, a part of her lives on in each of us...especially me
I love all of my Aunts and its sad to watch one of them pass away.
I am a living, breathing part of each of you...Aunt Mary, Aunt Marie and Aunt Shelby. I love you all!
Aunt Tempie Roten, you will be missed...
Thank you for the memories, the love and for taking part of making me who I am!
So from the little blond hair, blue eyed devil, I stand here, bare foot, on top of a hill, june bug tied on a string in one hand and salt for a birds tail in another, waving farewell to you....until we meet again.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
