On the left is young me at an age I was in greater touch with Aunt Joyce than I have been lately. To the right of me is my father at the time. In the photo on the right is his older sister Joyce Hook who lived in Kansas her entire life (as far as I know.) Kansas is the state where both of my parents are from.
I learned she passed away yesterday, and upon learning, although it was not unexpected, it was still grief inducing. I didn’t feel like creating my blog as usual, and so I decided to use it this week in honor of Aunt Joyce and her family.
I can’t imagine how life would have evolved for me without this woman, and I was a periphery character in her life. In addition to her own kids, foster kids, and adopted kids, literally hundreds of children experienced her warmth and generosity, as she ran one of the cherished and greatly sought day care homes where she lived in Kansas for decades.
I loved my trips as a child and adolescent to visit her and her family. I could easily see why she was so beloved in the wider family and community.
Our family bids farewell to one of its Greats. My condolences to her kids and grandkids at this time. Special shout out to Sharon, her oldest daughter and my cousin who has done much to hold all of the generations of the extended family together as time takes us all down different life paths and to different locations.
As bright a light as Aunt Joyce was/is, I have no doubt she is still in the room, watching what I write and chuckling at my stoicism about her passing. I love you Aunt Joyce!
May your continued journey be as wonderful as the life you have lived.