‘Missing the Most Marvelous Aunt the World Has Ever Known’
The quote serving as title of this story came from the wee toddler lips of my Oldest Younger Brother Scott. When he was very small he would march into our Aunt Marilyn’s room very early in the morning and announce that “everybody” was up — “everybody” meaning him.
That’s my Aunt Marilyn standing in front of my Mom. She wasn’t much more than a toddler herself in this photo. But I bet she was a lot of fun, even then
See, when Aunt Marilyn was in the house you wanted her up and around and with you at all times. She was that much fun. So much fun to be around that we kids would actually fight over who got to sit next to her at family dinners. (I only realized years later that we were unintentionally hurting our other perfectly-good aunts’ feelings — not to mention our very fun mother’s — by doing this.)
Two sisters and their mom, my Gramma P
But kids are kids — and naturally unfiltered — so fight over Aunt Marilyn we did. We adored Aunt Marilyn. Maybe because she was rather like a kid herself. For one thing, she was our mother’s younger sister by almost ten years. She was a high school kid when I was born. For another, she remained single — living in her parents’ (our grandparents’) house — for most of our childhood, so she was always there — and eager for fun — when we visited.
That’s All-American Teen Aunt Marilyn, complete with saddle shoes and bobby socks, between Perfectly-Fine Aunt Shirley and my Gramma P. My Mom is holding “Everybody’s Up!” Scott while I glower through the car window
Even after she found the Amazing Arlyn and got married, she didn’t “settle down”. She continued to play croquet and badminton (See “Howie and the Muscle Shirt” for a funny badminton story) with youthful gusto and was apt to say things like, “Who wants to go out in the snow with the rodel?” when it was, like, a zillion degrees below zero. (I just googled “rodel”, which is a kind of sled, and found one that looks just like Aunt Marilyn’s for sale for $1,175.)
That’s Marilyn, in bridal gown, natch, greeting well-wishers in the background. That’s my Starter Hub and me front and center
Aunt Marilyn hated the hot summer and absolutely adored winter. And not just for the skating and skiing and rodeling. She was a Major Fan of Christmas. I can remember like it was yesterday going to our Gramma P’s for Christmas. Marilyn was always in charge of the fun, both before and after she and Arlyn got hitched. (Arlyn, bless his little Dutch heart, really got into the swing of those Swedish Christmases. Though I bet he didn’t really have much choice.)
A scene from a Marilyn Christmas. That’s my Mom whispering her wish to a plastic-bag-bearded Santa
Since we were Swedes, the festivities were always on Christmas Eve. You can read all about these special festivities and even watch a video of the Very Last One in “A very Marilyn Christmas”. If you listen carefully, you just might be able to hear Nat King Cole on the stereo.
Aunt Marilyn in the kitchen stirring up some fun. I’m thinking this wasn’t Christmas, since the cooking is happening on top of the stove
Ironically, it was during her favorite season, while she was skiing with my mom out in Colorado (pronounced by Marilyn as “color” with “adoh” on the end) when she first felt the manifestations of the Parkinson’s Disease that would torment her for decades and ultimately take her life just last Saturday.
Winter won’t be winter without you, dear Aunt Marilyn. And as for Christmas? I feel like just skipping it this year. But that wouldn’t be at all what you would want. So I’ll break out the gumdrop tree and the teensy cordial glasses in your honor. But, if you don’t mind, I’ll skip the homemade brown paper “oven bag” to roast my turkey. I’ll no doubt burst into tears, but I’d rather my turkey not burst into flames.
Rest in peace, dear Aunt Marilyn. Christmas — even with teensy toasts and gumdrop trees — won’t be the same without you
New York City. October 2019
sorry to hear about your Aunt Marilyn. What wonderful memories you have and isn’t at the end of the day what life is all about? Memories and experiences.
Yes, you are so right! Aunt M would be all about memories and experiences!
So sorry for your loss, your Aunt Marilyn sounds like a lovely lady.
Thank you so much. I still can’t believe she isn’t around to sing in the car with. xoxo
Very sad! But happy memories.
Oh Alice, I am so sorry for your loss, she sounds like a total gem!
I aspire to be that kind of awesome aunt!
Oh Josy! Thank you so much. And I am absolutely, positively sure you will be (or already are?) an incredibly awesome aunt xoxo
What a touching story. All the best to you as you navigate the loss of her physical presence. Love & peace.
Many thanks for your thoughtful comment, dear Taylor xoxo
What a beautiful tribute to your aunt, Alice! So very sorry for your loss. Sounds like she will be greatly missed by your family. You’ve really captured a wonderful spirit here! Hope you’re doing OK.
Oh Becca, she was a truly special person and is very much missed. Thank you for your kind comment. I will pass it along to my mother xoxo
Oh Alice, This is one of your very best. I also went back to read ‘a very Marilyn Christmas.’ Brings up such happy thoughts about my own family. Bless you dear one. ~Sharon
Thank you so much, dear Sharon. I really aporeciate your thoughts on these pieces. She was a truly wonderful person. I wish I could give you a big “squeeze” right now. Which is what Aunt M called a “hug”.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Alice. Glad she could be at your Moms party. I really got to know Marilyn when I went to Seaside for your Mothers 80th. Plus being fun, she baked a wonderful pie! She handled her Parkinson’s so bravely. I hope to see you again this week.
Thank you SO much, Ruth. Yes, Aunt Marilyn had pie-making down (!) So glad I got to see her at mom’s party. So sad I’ll miss saying good-bye Thursday. (And seeing you again!)