Thank You to Family Members

Hi Wickeds. When we’re together, we talk a lot about family. I’m wondering, on this Thanksgiving Eve, if there’s a special family member you’d like to express your gratitude to or for. Maybe someone a little further out in the circle–in-law, aunt, uncle, cousin? Let’s hear your stories.

Edith: My aunt Jo (Joan, pronounced Joann) Maxwell Reinhardt was my father’s younger sister and was always my favorite. She was tall and elegant while still being down to earth. Her meals and baked goods were to die for, and she had a ready tinkling laugh. She made you feel like you had all her attention, to the point of her mouth almost moving with the words you said. I had a permanent welcome in her and my uncle Dick’s lovely San Francisco row house. Jo still seemed so young when she died nearly ten years ago at age 82, and I miss her greatly – although I see glimmers of her in her three sons, my cousins – and I’m grateful for the unconditional love she offered me.

Julie: I’m so blessed in the family department. Tomorrow I’ll be spending the day with my sister’s family, and her in-laws. I love these get-togethers. Pat Spence, my brother-in-law’s sister, and I are SO alike. We love our shared nieces fiercely, are huge Star Trek: The Next Generation fans, both bring crafts to work on during the day, and love to laugh. I’m going to give her a shout-out here.

Liz: My grandfather was my favorite person ever, from the time I was a kid and he used to sit for hours listening to me play the piano (badly, I’m sure) or give him a private dance recital (which was also terrible, since I got kicked out of dance). He was a detective, and I have to credit my love for all things crime to him. It’s hard to believe he’s been gone for 17 years – I still wish I could spend an afternoon with him listening to his stories.

Jessie: I am always overwhelmingly grateful for my younger sister. She is one of those people is loyal to the marrow, generous to a fault and has never seen a glass that wasn’t at least three-quarters full. She is a faithful friend, fierce mother and a bright light that never seems to flicker. Truly I am blessed to be associated with her.

Barb: This is a hard one, because I have many wonderful relatives. Since we’re going further afield in this post, I would like to say how grateful I am for Marilyn Mick. She is my husband’s brother’s ex-wife’s cousin’s wife. In other words, we’re not related. But she has been an absolute stalwart of support for me. She’s often hosted our family holiday parties, and hosted my daughter’s bridal shower and her baby shower. She’s been a supporter of my books and writing life, a sharer of friends and traditions, a thrower of Super Bowl parties, and a friend and confidant. I am so grateful.

Sherry: My Aunt Pat isn’t a blood relative but my mom’s sorority sister. She was beautiful, interesting, funny, and oh, so full of life. They lived in Arizona, very far from me in Iowa so each visit was extra special. Everyone should have an Aunt Pat in their lives. Aunt Pat always told the story of one of their visits when I was in high school. I was supposed to clear the table and do the dishes but told my mom that I needed to talk to Aunt Pat. The picture of us is the last time I saw her — she died unexpectedly six months later. But it’s a perfect example of how fun it was to be around her — the cigars are cookies.

Hey readers, today Liz is giving away an ARC of Murder She Meowed and a JJ’s House of Purrs tote bag to two commenters! Who is your special not so close family member?