She was the best Aunt anyone could ask for. Her home was the heart center of the neighborhood. It was where you wanted to be. It was where we all went. Aunt Helen was always welcoming, smiling and caring. And fun!

You might see her cutting kids hair on the front lawn preparing for the summer’s heat. The boys got a buzz cut. For a girl, if your hair was thick … the thinning scissors were brought out. If you didn’t have thick hair, she used the same thinning scissors but only a little bit so you felt included. Aunt Helen wanted you to be cool in the summer. Or you might see everyone piling into her blue and white station wagon to go to Palisades Amusement Park, Lake Welch, trick or treating. Those early days we walked home from school for lunch. Where’d we go? You guessed it. Pastina for lunch? You bet. But this was different. She made the pastina but we got to add however much pastina, milk, salt or whatever we wanted to our own bowls. It somehow turned into a game. Who could handle the most salt?What was the best amount of cottage cheese? How much could you fill the bowl without spilling the food on the table? Lots of laughing and then back to school. How fast could you make a pita? From scratch? Her record was 20 minutes. Every time. Special treat? Callahans or Hirams for everyone! Ice skating? All into the wagon and off to the skating pond by Twin Gables. One Christmas I wanted a cap gun like Philip and Eddie each had. My father said no. What happened? You guessed it. Aunt Helen came through with not one but two cap guns and a holster to boot!

Thank you Aunt Helen for these memories. For the special way you touched all of our lives. For your beautiful gift of love. For being you.

Love,
Theo

Joanne.velthaus@verizon.net