As I continue to remember the scenes of summer 2010, I am today reflecting on the relationship I had with Aunt Mary Fleischli. She passed to Jesus' loving arms recently. One of Mary's passions was art--she organized an art show for 20 years where she lived in California. I always wondered how her interest in art was fueled, but I never asked. She grew up on a farm, and I have not known many farmers' daughters who developed such a love. For me personally, there is a fondness for her that will remain. When Mario and I were trying to stay connected in the summer after we first met at Quincy College, I flew to California and stayed with Mary and Earl. She would take me to the bus stop in San Jose early every morning, and I would go to Oakland where Mario's family lived and spend the day there. Then she would come back to San Jose late in the day to pick me up. Mario always remembered her as "a nice lady." On a visit to her house, he took his VCR tape of the young comedians (my family will know what I am talking about--a very young Ellen Degeneris talking about "deer thoughts"--do you remember? And Kevin Nealon--would you rather have this or that happen to you....) He had a great time showing that to Mary and Earl. I also fondly remember her speaking with me when I was a young girl about her brothers. She loved her brothers and seemed to have a special place in her heart for my dad. As the years went by, we lost touch, regretably. I am so thankful my sister Carolyn put the book together after the Johnson reunion in 2008 and we sent her a copy, as she was unable to attend. She sent a treasured note to us, saying how she and her family had looked through the book many times. It was filled with pictures and memories that must have meant a lot to her.
So as she has moved on to her new life, I say "Praise God! Aunt Mary is healed and freed!"
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