For Aunt Jean

This post is a tribute to my great aunt Jean of whom I was very fond.

She always lived across the hall from or with my grandmother so she is woven into many of my childhood memories and I think of her as my aunt even though technically, she is my dad's aunt and my great aunt. Anyway, She raised a son on her own, worked hard for a living, survived childhood illness, a brain tumour early on and and 2 brain aneurysms before finally succumbing to another brain tumour late in life. In spite of all of that she never seemed hard or bitter or sad. Always smiling, hugging and laughing. She truly had the greatest laugh. A sort of booming cackle, if you can imagine, that could always be picked out from all the other laughter. Skilled in the art of joke telling, leaning forward, deadpan while telling it (always an obscene one) and then letting out that great laugh after delivering the punchline. Just a super cool lady.

My grandmother and her had a total Patty and Selma style apartment together complete with the 2 single beds in the same room separated by 2 night table with 2 big '70's style lamps. And beer and cigarettes. I don't think they watched MacGyver though.

With the thick Cape Breton accent I hear her saying "OH my soul!" in response to a good laugh or a piece of news or gossip. And I see the genuine smile on her face each time she grabbed you for a big hug.

Shout out to the memory of my Aunt Jean.