My Wonderful Inspiration

My Wonderful Inspiration

As you walk in the door the smell of fish frying fills the air. Sides of french fries, hushpuppies, baked beans, and potato salad are arranged on the table. My Aunt Frances turns and greets me with a smile as always. Standing about five foot six, short salt and peppered hair, and a little round, she hugs me and says,” I have missed you.” I always feel as if I am 10 years old and coming to stay with her for the weekend. Frances to me is the perfect image of the southern housewife. Although her cooking smells and taste really good, that is not the characteristic I am writing about. She is one of the most caring people I know in my life.

I remember running errands with her one day in July. Outside was like a stove, you could have fried and egg on the sidewalk. No breeze whatsoever. On our way to the bank we passed a woman pushing her baby in a stroller. We drove about two blocks past them when my Aunt Frances looked at me and said, “What am I doing?” She turned the car around and offered the woman and her child a ride. We took them to grocery store, and they thanked us repeatedly. I have driven past many people, and although I wish I could help, I was scared something would happen or was in to much of a hurry.

The holidays are an opportune time to show kindness, and for my Aunt Frances it’s the best time of the year. We have a Christmas tradition that she started. A few of us get together at my Aunts house and make all kind of goodies. It is like a party in the kitchen, mess and all. We make cookies, candies, cakes, and pies as we listen to Christmas music and catch up on our lives. The best part is after all the baking is done, we assemble baskets to take to the less fortunate. My Aunt Frances and I have a list from our church, and from that list we deliver our goodies. I always look forward to this time of year, not only are we helping others, but to see my Aunt makes my holiday complete.

Frances never judges anyone on the way they look, or the color of their skin. She finds joy by making others happy. I remember her telling me “knowing that I have just made one person’s day a little better or easier, makes my day.” This is why I want to be a better person and why I have the utmost respect for my Aunt Frances. I hope I make her proud.