Tea Party

By MJ

Today marks the 15th anniversary of my Aunt’s passing. In honor of her life and memory, I have invited everyone to drink a cup of tea and share memories of your loved ones. I have set up a Facebook page that has pictures and memories of my Aunt JuJu. Please visit and leave a comment. Or you can leave a comment on this page as well. Below I’ve included some of my memories and the actual invitation.
You are invited to join us in celebrating the life and memory of Julianne Vrabel.

When: Sunday June 27, 2010
Time: 7:00 p.m. (or whenever it is convenient for you)
Where: The comfort of your own home.

Summer is always a busy time, running here and there, going to picnics, and graduation parties. But it is important to take some time to reflect on the blessings that have been in our lives – both past and present.
We invite you take a few moments to make yourself (and your family) a cup of tea, relax,  and share memories of those that have been taken from us too soon.
We encourage you to use this time to reflect on all the great gifts we all have been given in the form of family and friends that we surround ourselves with everyday.

My Memories and Thoughts

My Mom’s big sister, my “Aunt Ju Ju”, was an avid golfer and bowler.
She loved to dote on her nieces and great-nieces, spoiling us as if we were her own grandchildren and she made the best chicken soup every Thanksgiving.
She lovingly called me her “social butterfly” because I always had a different activity to go to every night.
In 1995 Aunt JuJu lost her hard fought battle to Lung and Breast Cancer.
She is greatly loved and missed by all.

A few of the other colorful memories I have:
Aunt JuJu worked for a Dentist, Dr. Dixon. I remember very clearly that EVERY time she saw me, she insisted on checking my teeth to make sure they were good. Perhaps that was a good thing.. I didn’t get my first cavity until I was 28!
I also remember that we would go golfing on the “Monday Holidays” – Memorial Day and Labor Day. It was a whole group of us, Aunt JuJu, Uncle Bill, Frank, Susan, Me, Jeanne, and I’m sure there were others. The one outing I remember most was at Rolling Hills. I must have been 13 or so.  We were out on like hole 4 or something (I haven’t played there since, so I don’t know the course at all) — far from the clubhouse and Aunt JuJu had to use the bathroom. Well of course there wasn’t one around. I remember she went into the woods.. did what she needed to and came back. I’ve since learned, through playing with many people, that that is a very common thing.. but at the time I was astounded. Funny, the things that we remember.
On a much more sentimental note, I remember that Aunt JuJu and Uncle Bill stopped over our house late at night (It was probably only like 8:30 or 9) after they were done Bowling. I had already been put to bed, but Aunt JuJu would insist on seeing me, so I would come out and say hi and then go back to bed. I think it’s a good thing I liked sleep as a kid, or my parents probably would have been mad.

I have also posted pictures of Aunt JuJu on the facebook page and encourage you to look at them and even add your own. Here is the direct link to the photos page.

Thank you for sharing in my memories.