I can still see my Aunt Merel chewing on ice cubes as she sprinkles the clothes with water and rolls them up puts them in a basket to prepare to iron. This was over 50 years ago. I was just a little girl and she was my beautiful Aunt, always happy, smiling with a soft, tender voice. Sometimes she would take time out to load all us kids in the car and take us to the store on the corner by grannys house to buy us candy. Still chewing on the ice. She probably never knew what an impact that would have on my life all these years later. She was a beautiful person and had the patients of an angel even then. We would go back to grannys where she would finish her ironing and have dinner. Then the best part came when she would take me home with her. I loved going with her. She made me feel like I was her "little girl" and I was important and loved.. Of course, she didnt have any girls and I was only maybe 5 or 6 yrs old. And just so ya know, I was a tad bit jealous when those other girls came into the picture ( Yup thats you Colleen, Vicki, Tiffany and Lacey) even though I was grown by this time. God only knows how grateful I am for them now. They have become a Blessing!! Thank you doesnt seem enough. My moral behind this story is Aunt Merel touched my life at a very early age and continued to touch every life she knew. My children, my grandchildren and my friends loved her. Didnt matter..old or young. Her heart was big enough for everyone.I could go on and on and on. Im fighting the tears in letting go but will never forget my Aunt Merel and she will always hold a special place in my heart . I LOVE YOU AUNT MEREL AND IM GOING TO MISS YOU Peace be with you!!!