When I was on my way to visit my family in Alabama, my mother told me "Say a prayer for Aunt Dot. She went to the hospital last night." When I got to about Texarkana, I spoke to her again and she told me "Aunt Dot has been moved to ICU." By the time I got to Memphis, the doctors were telling them to gather the family and as I crossed the Mississippi/Alabama state line, she was gone. I didn't get to tell her goodbye. I didn't get to tell her that I loved her one more time. The last communication I had with her was the Tuesday after Mother's Day when she called me to thank me for the Mother's Day card that I sent her. It had not arrived until Monday, because I was late getting it in the mail, but she had appreciated it so much.
Dorothy B. Ware was her name. She was a teacher, a Methodist Lay-Speaker, a Christian, a horsewoman, a fisherwoman, a fellow Auburn fan, and my great-aunt. She was the youngest of three sisters from Millerville -- my mom's mother was the oldest. She married Clifford "Pete" Ware, who preceeded her in death. She lived in a 4 room house in Valley, AL and raised horses while Pete "raised" roosters. She used to say "We might seem a little bit wild to ya'll, but our grandmother was a Wolf." (My great-great-grandmother was Indian and her last name was Wolf.) She loved to fish, and while she was not monetarily rich, she was very happy in life. When we were helping my mother and my aunt clean out her house, I found the following poem which is a better snapshot of the Aunt Dot that I knew and loved than I could ever write:
Drinking From My Saucer
I've never made a fortune
and it's probably too late now.
But I don't worry about that much,
I'm happy anyhow.
And as I go along life's way,
I'm reaping better than I sowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.
I don't have a lot of riches,
and sometimes the going's tough.
But I've got loved ones around me,
and that makes me rich enough.
I thank God for his blessings,
and the mercies He's bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'cause my cup has overflowed.
I remember times when things went wrong,
My faith wore somewhat thin.
But all at once the dark clouds broke,
and the sun peeped through again.
So God, help me not to gripe about
the tough rows that I've hoed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.
If God gives me strength and courage,
when the way grows steep and rough.
I'll not ask for other blessings,
I'm already blessed enough.
And may I never be too busy,
to help others bear their loads.
Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.
~Author Unknown~
Rest in peace, Aunt Dot. You were loved very much and you will be missed. I will think of you often and I sincerely hope that my life is every bit as fullfilling to me as yours was to you.
(And War Damn Eagle!)
(And War Damn Eagle!)
