My favorite aunt! Whenever I think of my childhood, it is surrounded with pure love of the Doran/Wood Family. We were taught by example to value our love for each other and not things. We were never alone in life because we have each other. If you ever needed anything, she was right there. Every memory was filled with laughter and joy of our time being together. No amount of time was ever enough for us all to be together. I remember as soon as we came in the door to Aunt Joyce’s house no matter the time we were embraced with hugs and kisses, and food was always prepared and ready when you came in the door. There were so many people, and that was the best part. Know matter what, you always felt Aunt Joyce’s full attention and affection. The house was filled with laughter, harmonica playing, Stories from their childhood, And Scottish songs they loved. Children were not only seen, but heard, and loved beyond measure. Aunt Joyce called me her birthday twin because we both had birthdays in March. Aunt Joyce loved eggs and she used to make eggs for her family all the time. I never had her eggs because I didn’t like eggs. Six years ago she made me my first and only Aunt Joyce egg! And can I tell you it was amazing. And of course you couldn’t have eggs without the toasted rye bread. Food was a love language in our family! She was just such a nurturing, amazing woman. She was an example of what an aunt should be. She loved and treated all of us kids like we were her own.

I will forever cherish the memories we made together, Aunt Joyce. Thank you for all the loved you showered on me and all of us always.

(I am sharing pictures of aunt Joyce, dad, mom, uncle Johnny , Grandma and grandpa and of course, uncle Dick. One of the pictures has Marion as a baby. I can’t find one with aunt June in it on my phone.)

WE LITTLE KNEW

We little knew that morning,

God was going to call your name,

In life we loved you dearly,

In death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you,

You did not go alone,

For part of us went with you,

The day God called you home.

You left us beautiful memories,

Your love is still our guide,

And though we cannot see you,

You are always by our side.

Our family chain is broken,

And nothing seems the same,

But as God calls us one by one,

The chain will link again.