Auntie… Whatie?

When I was a little girl, I would say AUNTIE… She would say WHATIE?

I was so enthralled by the blond hair, sparkles everywhere, and jewelry galore. I used to look so forward to my summer holidays in Calgary with her as a young girl. She took me to high end restaurants, Calaway Park, the Zoo, and drive-in movie theatres.

I remember one HOT summer night, Auntie brought home a teddy “for ME”. She said we we’re going to the drive-in and we were going to go see “LA BAMBA”. I was so excited. “What are you going to name your teddy bear?” she asked. After watching the inspiring Ritchie Valens, I replied, “La Bamba” (I still have him).

We had movie nights at home. My Auntie was blessed by my Ukrainian Great Grandma’s very well endowed breasts, and I used them for a pillow, snuggling right up against her. I was a chatty child. Ok, I still am! I would chat her ear off until the wee hours of the night. She used to make jokes that she would fart and shove my head under the covers if I didn’t be quiet.

Pure LOVE, LAUGHING, GIGGLING…

She brought me cards and funny gifts for every occasion. She even did this when there wasn’t an occasion; however, she always created one. She used to pick me up in elementary school in her white convertible; I felt so cool with the top down. We pumped up the music. Years later, at age 23, she gave me that same car. I was tickled pink with joy. What a great first car!

When I was 18, Grandma and Auntie took me to Mexico for my birthday. This is where I first fell in love with an exotic country. We went on a boat cruise where we went snorkeling. Being the overly excited girl I was, I jumped overboard (the boat was parked for lunch). The captain and a few other seniors jumped in after me yelling, “Seniorita! Bad area to jump in!”

Auntie moved back to Saskatoon in her early 40’s to help my grandma with the house. Years later, I realized my grandma was also helping her. My auntie was diagnosed with Wilson ’s Disease at age 18 and was in the hospital for a year. The doctors, back then, didn’t know much about this disease and as far as I am concerned, 40 years later, still don’t know much. At the age of 19, the doctors told her she would die in a few years.

Well, I think it was her deep desire to live, travel, and the love of her mother that helped her live until she was 60. She was a bubbly and strong-minded woman. She was a natural born “DIVA”, like many famous female singers of the 70’s and 80’s. Even during the 11 months in the hospital, she managed to care about herself. She wore wigs because she was losing her hair and she wore her bling. She spoke of getting better so we could go to Mexico together again. The last gifts she gave me were pot holders, a fancy dog bag, and a Tweety Bird pajama top.

“Don’t spend your money on me”, I said. She replied, “I am your Auntie”.

I inherited her bling collection, and oh my, what an array of different pieces from every era and culture! In memory of my Auntie and my soul mother, I will “Rock her Bling!”

God put this special woman in my life and I have a deep love for her.

I have another Angel. In memory of Valerie Lozinski – her loving herself – I love myself.

By Crystal Lozinski