Thursday, October 15, 2020
I've been thinking about Tanta Ann a lot lately. What she has meant to my life.
Back in the 60s, our extended family was quite small; Grandpa Schenk (I barely remember Grandma, she died when I was 5), Tanta Ann and Uncle Helmut, Helene and Betty were pretty much it. Imagine my surprise when moving to a town of 4000 in New Hampshire where everyone was someone else's cousin, blew my mind.
What I remember most of Tanta Ann was she seemed to always be happy and upbeat, with a ready smile and chuckle. I remember the family gatherings at the house in West Hempstead, with Uncle Frank, Uncle Erich, Margot and Ray, folk who were not related to me by blood. The fun and the German music.
The first time I stayed away from home was with Tanta Ann, I think I was 5 and I did not want to go back home. As a child, Tanta Ann would always play checkers with me. I always lost. I remember commenting to Mom that Tanta Ann would never let me win,and Mom said "of course not". Knowing that made it so much sweeter when I finally beat Tanta Ann at checkers, Much later, when I served in the Marines, Tanta Ann's was my first stop after I graduated boot camp. Tanta Ann and I wrote to each other when I was overseas. When I was stationed in North Carolina, she and Uncle Helmut put up with my occasional
weekend visits which allowed me some time away from Camp Legeune.
I will always remember their house in West Hempstead, with the Black Forrest Cuckoo Clock, and Tanta Ann's paintings on the walls.
My last visit with Tanta Ann was at Dad's 80 birthday party. She regaled us with stories of family history that apparently no one knew before. Now, all that history is gone. The world is smaller with her passing and I am saddened by it. However, I rejoice in her life, which was a long one, with its ups and downs. I m glad that when her time came, it came with lingering pain.
I wish I could have made your memorial. I love you and will always miss you, Tanta Ann.
Fred
