Laying here in bed, the night before my Tante (German for Aunt) is laid to rest, I couldn't help but reflect back on how much she had an influence in my life. I remember as a young boy how special Aunt Julianne and Uncle Arnold were to me. I rememebr the dairy farm years, times when my brother Tom and I would spend the night, usually in the barn with our cousin John. In the morning we'd get, what you'd call today an "old fashioned" breakfast. I remember Johnnny taking his toast and smashing it into the egg yolk and getting scolded. I rememebr the family dog, Scamper (if I remember his name right), would always be ready to help clean up any leftovers from breakfast. Mostly I remember a loving, kind and understaning Aunt, and how she played a critical role in the life of a troubled young man. I always called her Tante, and she would always -even up to the last time I saw her at my mom's house just weeks ago -she'd break in to that infectious smile of hers and say something like, "Eddie always calls me Tante!" As I carry you to your final resting place tomorrow, just know that I love you and appreciate you Tante! Ed
