To Vermont

Had to take a trip to Vermont last week to attend the Funeral of a great woman, my Great Aunt Fannie. She was 88 years old and died peacefullyin her sleep.

We used to spend a lot of time vsiting her when we were young, when my dad would have a three day weekend (every third or fourth weekend) we would head to Vermont and stay in the trailer we had in Whitingham and then to the much more cosy deer camp in Readsboro. Always spending more than a few hours visiting her in between hiking trips, swimming holes and whatever mischief my Brother Chris and I got into. She always seemed ready for company no matter who or when you showed up, there was always some sort of pie ready to be eaten. It seemed that dinner would magically appear only minutes after your arrival.

I never new the real reason why we went there other than that she was my grandmother's sister, until my wife started asking questions.

My Father was abandoned by his Mother when she went to Florida with her new husband, taking only my father's sister and leaving him with his abusive Father that used to hire him out and make him sleep in a chicken coop! He finally moved in with her and she helped him through his teenage years.

Anyhow we use to try and see how many times in a row we could hit the circle on that tin building across the street from her house, or the endless hours of tennis we played gainst the same building, man we must have drove the neighbors batty!

The news of her passing hit me really hard, yup I cried! She was more like a Grandmother to me and I feel guilty of all the times I went by her house and didnt take time for a visit, the main reason is I didn't want to leave, or say goodbye.

Well at least I have a little something here in Virginia to remember herby, her name is Faith Frances Alger,( I call her fannie) who is aptly named after my great Aunt.