When I married into the Miller family, I was blessed to gain a precious gem of an aunt, Odena. Single, spunky and very independent, “Dini” as she was dubbed by the older grandchildren is the only sibling of Lowell’s dad and always lavishly spoiled Lowell and his 2 brothers, Merlin & Keith and seemingly decided to carry on that tradition with their wives and great nieces and nephews. Her spoiling usually includes food whether it’s her famous Christmas caramels, smarties in her purse, making freezer pickles for Lowell & mustard pickles for Keith or keeping the milk house supplied with a large pan of cookies or bars. (And did I mention she still helps with the milking?) She is also big on birthdays and always gives cards that are more then just birthday cards from a box. I have often been touched at how mine usually always says “to my niece”.
Before I really got to know her, I thought her to be gruff and a bit rough around the edges but my how my opinion of her has changed. She is kind, has a huge heart and would give the shirt off her back to help someone! Over the last years as my children have gotten older and mostly potty trained, she began coming over to babysit when I needed someone. She gets downright huffy with me if I don’t ask her to come each week and keeps track of exactly how long it has been since she was here. Plus the children love her to pieces and can’t wait to see her again. She pretty much lets them get away with murder but hey, she is the most reliable, available 83 year old I have ever met and she takes good care of my precious ones.
Today she showed up with cabbage from her garden, 2 big stout heads ( sauer kraut coming up~yum!). The children were bringing in abundant harvest from the garden and something was mentioned about the fact that we were doing apples today. Right away spoke up and informed me she would be staying to help me. I stammered around, secretly relieved but feeling overwhelmed at her leaving her work to come do mine. She insisted. So she stayed. Not only are my 2 bushels of apples done, I have 17 pints of her old recipe (garlic sweet dill) pickles all finished and waiting to come out of the canner.
Going home with her cane and her basket
I never cease to be amazed at how God sends us just what we need right when we need it. Today He sent a dear cabbage-bearing-Dini to make my load lighter and my day just a bit brighter! I am so blessed!
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