AUNT JEANNIE, THE LOVE OF SONS

I am so very saddened to write that my Daddy's baby sister,

his last living sibling, JEANETTE COLLINS ESERMAN,

 passed away on Saturday, July 4th 

due to complications from a fall at her home.

The last of my Aunts and Uncles on both sides of my parents.

A generation ended.

Let me share a bit about my thoughts during this time.

Just a few months ago, we buried my Uncle Roy, her husband.

It was before the quarantine and such a beautiful tribute to his

life of Catholic service. Now Aunt Jeannie has joined "Daddy"

which is the only thing I ever remember her calling him.

This couple, married over 55 years, were simple yet such

hard workers. A funny couple, always lovingly fussing with each 

other but there was no doubt of their love.

They never lived above their means, raised their two sons,

Reggie and Jude to be smart, caring men who have

contributed so much to the World.

How proud they both were of these boys and their families.

Aunt Jeannie, given the chance, was going to tell you all her boys

had achieved and what their children and daughter in laws were

doing. She was a "one of a kind" kind of aunt.

I loved going to her home when Reggie and I were young.

I loved old homes even back then and their home always had

things to admire. I know she is free from anything that ever

hurt her in this world.

Now I want to take a little bit of space to brag on my cousins.

First, Jude, their oldest, although lived away, did what he could

stayed in touch, came down when either of his parents needed him.

Good Sons...

and Reggie, oh my dear cousin, Reggie.

The epitome of a good son. 

Because Jude lived so far away, most of the care of their 

parents lay on the shoulders of Reggie.

Working in Golden Meadow Middle School and living in Raceland,

every day he stopped in to check on the both of them.

After his Dad died he found himself the soul caregiver for his Mother.

She did not want to leave her house to go to a nursing home or 

assisted living. She was always a home bound type of woman and 

he was going to do all he could to respect her wishes.

Pay bills, fill meds., doctor appts. Upkeep of the home,

all of this rested on him.

So I want to share what I shared with him as we spoke on 

the phone on that Saturday morning as he sat near his

deceased Mothers hospital bed.

I reminded him:

"You have nothing, not one thing to feel quilty about.

you have been the best son to both your parents and

even more so since your Dad passed away. When it would

have been easier and probably better for her to be in a 

nursing home, she did not want that so you made it possible

for her to stay in the home she loved."

I know Jude would have done all the same things had he

been closer. I say to my dearest cousin Reggie,

"AS I CONTINUE TO THINK OF THE LOSS OF SUCH

A BIG PART OF OUR CHILDHOOD I THINK OF YOU, 

REGGIE AND I AM COMFORTED BY THE THOUGHT THAT

WHEN MY TIME COMES THAT I NEED HELP, IF MY SON 
AND DAUGHTER ARE HALF

 OF WHAT YOU WERE TO YOUR PARENTS, 

I WILL HAVE DONE A FINE JOB. YOU ARE THE

EPITOME OF WHAT A GREAT SON LOOKS LIKE.

MATTER OF FACT, IF YOU LOOK UP THE

WORD SON IN THE DICTIONARY YOUR NAME MIGHT 

JUST BE THERE. LOVE YOU DEAR COUSIN"

...and I do, always have, loved both my Eserman cousins,

but because Reg and I were the same age,

we were close and continue to be.

So as her life, like this blog comes to a close, I understand

that his Mothers funeral will be so very different than his Fathers.

Very private, closed casket and immediate friends and family only,

I think how appropriate for Aunt Jeannie as that is who she was.

She quietly stood behind her Husband, never wanting the spotlight

on her, private and loved spending her days in her home.

RIP Aunt Jeannie, I know it was some type of reunion up in 

Heaven with all the Collins Clan together now forever,

and I am more than sure there was a choir to meet her

and Uncle Roy was waving his hands directing that choir

to be the best for his beloved "Momma" wife.