The letters I have been reading have highlighted for me the deep, caring friendships that Grandma had with some of the women in her life. I wrote yesterday about her friendship with my Godmother, and how they bonded together after Uncle George died. There has been another set of letters I’ve found from Aunt Gertie that have helped me see that the kindness I remember emanating from Aunt Gertie really seemed to be a deep part of her personality – of who she was – and also how Grandma and Aunt Gertie (who lost her husband, another Uncle George, in the 1950s) shared a bond of friendship that I don’t think I ever appreciated.

Grandma and Aunt Gertie passed away exactly 2 weeks apart in April of 2004. It’s hard to believe it’s been that long ago, and also hard to believe that much time has passed. As the mom of an almost 20 year old, I feel that odd passage of time on many levels.

But way before that, when they were women living out in the country in a time when isolation was a way of life, they forged a friendship. I’d imagine it began during the time that Aunt Gertie stayed here with Grandma and Grandpa, before she married and moved onto have a family of her own. I only have half of the letters they sent to each other. I have to guess from things Aunt Gertie says to Grandma what it was that Grandma had written in her letters.

But there were times when Grandma had major life events (tragedies) occur and there would be a letter from Aunt Gertie giving love and support. But more than that, she showed deep compassion and understanding for whatever issue it was that Grandma was dealing with. She would open her heart and share deep emotions and private life events to attempt to help Grandma feel less alone and more loved.

From what little I know about Aunt Gertie’s life, she certainly had some struggles and challenges and heartaches to deal with. Yet whenever I would see her I was greeted with a big smile and made to feel welcome. It is the same sense I get of her from the letters I have found. It’s inspiring, the reminder to be kind, be compassionate, be thoughtful to others no matter what.

There are so few stories of women from the past, their histories being lost and the importance of their lives forgotten. I feel very honoured to have found the treasure of “voices from the past” for some of the women who came before me.