Aunt Abbie was my favorite aunt and godmother; I'm Dot's daughter. Most of my memories are about the summer I was 7; my parents and older brother Jeff went out to the Grand Canyon, but I was considered too young to go so far, so Aunt Abbie and Uncle Jim kindly took me in for those 2 weeks. The first night, as I was going to bed in Ginny's room, Aunt Abbie paused in the door after hearing my prayers. I said forlornly, "Pleasant dreams," and she replied, "The same to you," *exactly* what Gramma and Mother always said. It's such a little thing, but it was the kind of loving, gentle touch of home that made a homesick little girl feel secure and loved. My parents weren't able to get to a phone on my birthday (this was LONG before cells--1956) and for some reason, the presents they sent me didn't arrive on time either. Aunt Abbie conjured up a birthday party for me, and the whole family pitched in to make it really special, even when I misbehaved. My memories of that 2 weeks remain vivid to this day. I also remember, when we visited on our way elsewhere when I was 14, and parked our new Airstream trailer in their driveway, Aunt Abbie saying over and over as we showed it off, "Isn't this slick!" I suddenly realized she had the same itchy foot and longing to travel that Mother did, even though she was completely devoted to her family. I last spoke to her when my mother died, and I think of Aunt Abbie now, redhead to the end, tap-dancing and laughing with her sisters and Uncle Jim. My memories of my Van Permis relatives are suffused with gratitude for their kindness, which of course they learned from Uncle Jim and Aunt Ab. Although it's been so long, I hope that Ginny, Jim, Tom and David will stay in touch with me. Love, Cousin Barbie (Barra in Pittsburgh)
