Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Auntie Tatiana was a wonderful happy and full of life kind woman. My parents knew her family before I was born 56 years ago. We have lovely home movies and photos of me as a 1 year old being swung on a swing in their back yard by Auntie Tatiana's children.
I remember as a young child visiting her cosy home with my parents. I remember how inviting she was and how she made me feel special even though I was just a child.
Aunti Tatiana would play her piano for us when we were visiting. She was the only person I visited in my life that played the piano. I remember watching many wonderful peformances being played so enthusiastically and beautifully. She always seemed to live in the moment with such honest joy.
Sometimes my two grandmothers who lived in Montreal would visit us, and we somehow would manage to drop in to see Auntie Tatiana. My grandmothers only spoke French, but Auntie somehow magically made them feel welcomed and part of her family. If I remember correctly, Auntie Tatiana could speak many languages, and maybe French was one of them. She was a very intelligent and interesting woman of many talents.
I also remember some days when biking home from grade school I would stop by for a visit. I only ever visited Auntie Tatiana and sometimes Auntie Lena (her sister-in-law) on my own. Thinking about it now, it was unusual for a child to just show up unannounced just to have a chat with an adult, but it seemed quite natural for me to jump off my bike and drop in to say hello. Auntie Tatiana, who I'm sure was busy with her own life, with 4 children of her own, never seemed to mind, and even seemed to rather enjoy my visits as much as I enjoyed seeing her.
I think it's true that we can all intuitively feel real love radiating from others. We are all attracted to love and joy, and we naturally seek out people who give us those feelings. Auntie Tatiana was like a bright flame to everyone, we, like moths, were attracted to her radiance.
Years passed and I moved to Ottawa. I remember as a young adult when I would visit my mom she sometimes invited Auntie Tatiana for a visit too because she knew I would be excited to see her. Mom, and dad also ejoyed seeing her, our family loved her. I remember her laughing, hugs, her genuine happiness.
When I got married in 1981 Auntie Tatiana gave me a Ukrainian set of nesting dolls, and when my daughter arrived in 1987 she gave me another set of lovely Ukrainian nesting dolls. I cherished the thoughtfulness and the reminder of who they came from every time I looked at them. I still have them.....
On one of my combo visits to my mom's and Auntie Tatiana's visits she gave me a beautiful 3D print of the famous guardian angel and the children it was guarding on a bridge. She loved her faith in God, Jesus, and Angels. There was a strong and peaceful presence in her when she would share her love for her faith. I still have that photo, it's framed and reminds me always of Auntie Tatiana's thoughtfulness, kindness and generosity. I also love Angels, and it is my all-time favourite print.
Later Auntie Tatiana became a Deacon at her church. I didn't know much about it, but knew that whomever would hear what she had to share would feel the love she had for everyone and everything.
In 1987, I was visiting mom with my new baby Daughter Sasha. I clearly remember that day in mom's kitchen so very well. Auntie Tatiana was visiting and she was so excited to see my little baby, she held her in her arms and I could tell how excited she was. She then very casually asked if baby Sasha had been baptized. Well....long complicated situation about not being married in a Catholic Church made baptism impossible back then without having to commit to schooling, getting remarried in their church, etc. etc. etc. Auntie Tatiana listened, I think she could sense both my disappointment and my annoyance at the whole jumping-through-hoops thing. Auntie didn't say anything, she was not judgemental, she was just listening and being her loving self. When she was ready to leave, still holding baby Sasha, she went to our kitchen window and casually mentioned something happening outside. I remember she had her back to mom and I, and somehow managed to turn the tap in the sink on ever so slightly, she then put her hand in the water and made the symbol of the cross on my daughters forehead, all in silence. I don't think she knew that we saw this happening, as I said she had her back to us looking out the window. Well as soon as she left, mom and I looked at each other in awe - we both said "did you see that"? I was so very thankful that my wonderful Auntie Tatiana, a Deacon in her church, cared enough about my baby to take it upon herself in her quiet way, to baptize my baby. I instantly felt a feeling of lightness and safety, a faith that Sasha was now protected. Auntie Tatiana taking no credit, no pomp and ceremony just did her magic, giving blessings and asking God to protect this newborn baby. For me I will always recognize this as witnessing an earth angel - Auntie Tatiana performing a tiny humble miracle in my mom's kitchen.
Dear Auntie Tatiana, I am sorry to hear of your recent passing. I hope very much that your passage to the otherside is filled with angels, peace and the love of God. You did not have the easiest life, as anyone who has lived as long as you have, lived through many hard times in history - the Great Depression, and living in Europe during World War II must have left you broken at times as a young woman. Your strength and love of life is a testament for all to acknowledge that life and it's many hardships can be overcome with an attitude and determination to always move forward with love and joy. I will love you and remember you always Auntie Tatiana, until we meet on the otherside.
Lucie
Auntie Tatiana was a wonderful happy and full of life kind woman. My parents knew her family before I was born 56 years ago. We have lovely home movies and photos of me as a 1 year old being swung on a swing in their back yard by Auntie Tatiana's children.
As I got older I remember as a young child visiting her cosy home with my parents. I remember how inviting she was and how she made me feel special. She was so happy to see us, it was always a heart warming experience.
Aunti Tatiana would play her piano for us when we were visiting. She was the only person I visited in my life that played the piano. I remember watching many wonderful peformances of music being played so enthusiastically and beautifully. She always seemed to live in the moment with such honest joy.
Sometimes my two grandmothers who lived in Montreal would visit us, and we somehow would manage to drop in to see Auntie Tatiana. My grandmothers only spoke French, but Auntie somehow magically made them feel welcomed and part of her family. That was the joy of visiting her. We all felt like we were her immediate family.
I also remember some days when biking home from grade school I would stop by for a visit. I only ever visited Auntie Tatiana and sometimes Auntie Lena (her sister-in-law) on my own. Thinking about it now, it is unusual for a child to just show up unannounced just to have a chat with an adult, but it seemed quite natural for me to jump off my bike and drop in to say hello. Auntie Tatiana, who I'm sure was busy with her own life, and 4 children of her own, never seemed to mind, and seemed to rather enjoy my visits as much as I enjoyed seeing her.
I think it's true that as people no matter what age we are, can intuitively feel love - real love radiating from others. We are all attracted to love and joy, and we naturally seek out people who give us those feelings. Auntie Tatiana was like a bright flame to everyone, we, like moths, were attracted to her radiance.
Years passed and I moved to Ottawa. I remember as a young adult when I would visit my mom she sometimes invited Auntie Tatiana for a visit because she knew I would be excited to see her. We all were. I remember her laughing, hugging, her happiness.
When I got married in 1981 Auntie Tatiana gave me a Ukrainian set of nesting dolls, and when my daughter arrived in 1987 she gave me another set of those lovely Ukrainian nesting dolls. I cherrshed the thoughtfulness and the reminder of who they came from every time I looked at them. I still have them.....
On one of my combo visits to my mom's and Auntie Tatiana's visits she gave me a beautiful 3D print of the famous guardian angel and the children it was guarding on a bridge. She loved her faith in God, Jesus, and Angels. There was a strong and peaceful presence in her when she would share her love for her faith. I still have that photo, it's framed and reminds me always of Auntie Tatiana's thoughtfulness, kindness and generosity. I also love Angels, and it is my favourite print.
Later Auntie Tatiana became a Deacon at her church. I didn't know much about it, but knew that whomever would hear what she had to share would feel the love she had for everyone and everything.
In 1987, I was visiting mom with my new baby Daughter Sasha. Being Ukrainian on my dad's side, I loved giving my daughter a Ukrainian name. I clearly remember that day in mom's kitchen so very well. Auntie Tatiana was visiting and she was so excited to see my little baby, she held her in her arms and I could tell how excited she was. She then very non-chalantly asked if baby Sasha had been baptized. Well....long complicated situation about not being married in a Catholic Church made baptism impossible back then without having to commit to schooling, getting remarried in their church, etc. etc. etc. Auntie Tatiana listened, I think she could sense both my disappointment and my annoyance at the whole jumping-through-hoops thing. Auntie didn't say anything, she was not judgemental, she was just listening and being her loving self. When she was ready to leave, still holding baby Sasha, she went to our kitchen window and casually mentioned something happening outside. I remember she had her back to mom and I, and somehow managed to turn the tap in the sink on ever so slightly, she then put her hand in the water and made the symbol of the cross on my daughters forehead, all in silence. I don't think she knew that we saw this happening, as I said she had her back to us looking out the window. Well as soon as she left, mom and I looked at each other in awe - we both said "did you see that". I was so very thankful that my wonderful Auntie Tatiana, a Deacon in her church, cared enough about my baby to take it upon herself in her quiet way, to baptize my baby. I had tears of gratitude in my eyes for this wonderful gift she had bestowed upon my daughter. I instantly felt a feeling of lightness and safety, a faith that Sasha was now protected. Auntie Tatiana taking no credit, no pomp and ceremony just did her magic, giving blessings and asking God to protect this newborn baby. For me I will always recognize this as witnessing an earth angel - Auntie Tatiana performing a tiny humble miracle in my mom's kitchen.
Dear Auntie Tatiana, I am sorry to hear of your recent passing. I hope very much that your passage to the otherside is filled with angels, peace and the love of God. You did not have the easiest life, anyone who has lived as long as you have, lived through many hard times in history - the Great Depression, and living in Europe during World War II must have left you broken at times as a young woman. Your strength and love of life is a testament for all to acknowledge that life and it's many hardships can be overcome with an attitude and determination to always move forward with love and joy. I will love you and remember you always Auntie Tatiana, until we meet on the otherside.
Love, Lucie
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