She was a flapper,
all in cool hat, beads, and flimsy dress.
She cruised on the Queen Mary,
visiting cities on both sides of the Atlantic.
Aunt Grace was gracious and generous;
helped Errol, her adopted son,
find his parents and family in Canada.
She gave my mom a spinet piano
so my brother could take lessons.

Thanksgiving in my early days
was celebrated at her home.
She always made sure
my brother and I shared a drumstick.
Grown-up, my job took me
by her hospice home.
I sat with her talking
about those early years,
holidays together as a family.
It brought memories,
smiles: Thanksgiving dinners
where Aunt Grace always took the neck.


© by Erle Kelly.
Used with the author's permission.