It was great to be with so many people who loved Evie throughout her 86 years of life. It was especially wonderful to see, touch, listen to, and be with my godfather, Bob ~ or "Nate" as he's known by so many. Katy's hugs were full of love, warmth, and appreciation for everyone and every story they shared about her mom. We shared endearing memory after memory about our loved Evie and how she touched each one of our lives in a special and personal way. Oh, how I wish I had all my belongings unpacked so I could share a picture or two of my Evie. I'd love to share pictures of her kids and their families too, but those are still packed away in boxes, awaiting their discovery.
Jim looked the same as always (why do some men never age or change?), his wife Christie was gorgeous and delightful as usual, and their baby girl (okay, so she's in her 20's now), Claire, lit up as she talked about Evie.
Bob and Evie's second son, John, was hard to find with his facial hair (that would have driven my Gigi nuts), but his blondness gave him away. I saw his wife, Gloria, right away and couldn't wait to tell her how proud Evie always spoke of her as a mom of two (now 22 and 26) and wife to John. I hadn't see their kids, Kimberly and Robert, since they were babies, so to see them all grown up was quite a shock!
My favorite (sorry guys) is Katy. Maybe because I know her better, or because I spent more time with her when I was young, but most likely because she has always reminded me of her mom, my godmother. Their facial expressions, voice, vocal inflections, interest in others, and so much more make me think of them more as sisters than mother and daughter. Evie was very artistic and the reason I pursued art as a young girl. When I lived with my Gigi, she gave me a gift of art classes that Katy was teaching so I'd paint some pieces of furniture for her. That's when I learned I could make money doing what I loved to do ~ art! Katy did it, Evie did it, and my Aunt Natalie did it. I wanted it too! Enough of me.
Two others I really wanted to see were there too, Snets and Clive. I got to know Snets over the last year because of some business related to my Gigi, so it was fun to meet him in person and his wife, (I need to remember her name...). Snets and Bob have been best friends since USC fraternity days. I was also hoping Clive would be there (Katy's first husband) and he was! We got to visit and hear stories, and meet his wife, (darn, I need to be better with names). Bob tells us how they loved Clive so much, so they figured out a way to keep him in the family. Christie has a best friend who they hooked up with Clive when they were both available. That was it! All in the family. : )
There's so much more I could share, but it's personal and I find warmth and comfort in keeping some things between Evie and me. I hope I see her in Heaven. XO
Claire, Bob, and Christie are arm in arm as Katy shares letters from several who loved her mom, Evelyn:
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