Somewhere down the line, Aunt Helen must have really made a great impression on me. She had the ability to see beauty in even the most mundane of things, lived her life with a great deal of imagination and simply being authentic all the while being spontaneous and a bit quirky. If something appealed to her, it was worked into her life without worry that others would sneer at her. She wore flowers in her hair, used herbs and decorated her place with color, gardens and things from the past. She pretty much "invented" that "Cottagecore" lifestyle about a half century before it even was given a name. To say Aunt Helen left an indelible mark on my life is an understatement. This is coming more apparent as I age and give up trying to meet the approval of others.
The Little Bayou House has slowly undergone a change from meeting the needs of my kids entertaining their friends to being all out eccentric. If something appeals to me, it is added to the decor. Granted everything has to be functional but a bit of quirkiness is the drawing card. Folks realize this and often gift oddities to me. "This was great aunt's teacup. I hate to just throw it away but it does not fit with my place." or "Grandpa had this for years but I have no idea what it is." Yep, Great Aunt's teacup and Grandpa's plumb bob have found a home.
All of this influence came flooding over me recently as I sat in my great-grandmother's rocking chair just reminiscing over times past. Things spilled from the cobwebbed corners of my brain where they have been stored just waiting for the opportune moment to bring a smile. Thoughts of Aunt Helen soon took over and the heart filled to the brim with the special moments that I was able to spend with her. These visits were far and few in between since she did not live nearby and was often halfway around the world but our connection remained even into adulthood. I miss her greatly.
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