With Thanksgiving fast approaching, it is not surprising that my thoughts are focussed on the things for which I need to be thankful. First, there are the spiritual things such as God’s love and grace, Jesus’ redeeming sacrifice at Calvary, the comfort and security of the Holy Spirit’s presence in my life, and the Scriptures, which present God’s words to me and show me His beautiful truth and direction. There are the daily-bread kinds of things like a home, a family, food to eat, clothes to wear, etc. Then there are the special reasons to be thankful: the exceptional person, event, or blessing that has touched my life and that is outstanding in the multitude of reasons to give thanks.

This year, I feel especially grateful for the Christian example of my two favorite aunts. My Aunt Minnie, my mother’s only sister, is in my thoughts because she was called home to be with her Lord six years ago this Thanksgiving weekend. My Aunt Sadie, my father’s only sister, is brought to mind because she was recently called home. (June 5,1999)

Aunt Minnie was born on January 19, 1910. Throughout my life, she played an important role in shaping and defining my life and character. She took me to Sunday School when I spent time with her every summer. She helped me to improve my sewing and embroidery skills. She encouraged me to read. She made me feel as though she was comfortable and easy with me when we spent time together. My first real job was acquired through her influence at the factory where she had worked for many years. She was a single mom when it was not fashionable, nor even acceptable. She had to rely on my grandparents to help her raise her two girls while she went to work.

I was grateful that Aunt Minnie loved and approved of my husband, Tom; she was very proud of his accomplishments as a writer. She was not fond of little boys, so when I discovered that I was going to have a baby, she automatically assumed that it would be a girl. With this in mind, she went window shopping, looking exclusively at the frilly little dresses and lacy bonnets that would befit her grand niece. Much to her surprise, I had a beautiful baby boy. She resigned herself to the sailor suites and blue overalls that would be more suitable for my little boy. Her heart melted when she held him, though. Stuart, I feel sure, was entirely responsible for the change in her preference.

Hers was not an easy life; it was not an exceptional life. It was a life, however, lived in the Light of Christ’s love and saving grace. I am thankful because she freely shared that love, as well as her earthly love, with me.

Aunt Sadie was born on January 16, 1913. Hers was a very different life from the one my Aunt Minnie lived. She had a mother and a husband who could offer nothing but resistance to her Christian way of life. She was married to an untreated alcoholic, and she was mother to seven children. Her youngest son was born with polio. Every day was a struggle for Aunt Sadie. She never gave up, though. She always made me welcome, even for dinner, although my mother always insisted that I not stay because Aunt Sadie had so many other mouths to feed. She used to come to church with us. My dad was often her only means of transportation. She didn’t have any material security; she had to rely solely on her faith to see her through.

After her husband died, she was able to sell the property that he had left to her and buy herself a nice house and furnish it the way that she wanted to. Her house was always filled with grandchildren she was attending to, children returning home after marital problems, and pets that were the product of those broken marriages. We thought that at last she would be able to enjoy life after so many years of struggling. This was not to be, though. Ten years ago, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, and she was forced to give up her home and her way of life, as she slipped further and further away from reality. Hers was a tragic life, but she remained a good and faithful soldier of the cross until her mind was no longer capable of reasonable thought. I can never forget the way she lived her life despite such overwhelming adversity.

Although these women seemed to live in two different worlds, with two very separate personalities, there is commonality in their love for and their desire to serve their Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Through the many storms of life that they both experienced, the Sunshine of Christ’s abiding love shone through in their daily existence. I am a better person, live a more Christ-like life because of the example and the legacy of Christian experience left to me by my two favorite aunts. For that, I am eternally thankful.