Thursday, May 15, 2008

Show & Tell Friday

My Grandma Adrian had only one sister. Her name was Verna. We called her Aunt Verna. Aunt Verna never married and as long as I could remember, she was a missionary nurse to Africa. I'm guessing that Verna loved children because she treated my grandmother's 6 grandchildren as her own.
I remember when I was a little girl, living in New York and Aunt Verna would be home on furlough. It was a very exciting thing when she would come and visit us!! I remember crying and crying when she left. I love her so much.

Aunt Verna was tragically killed in the early 70's. I would have been around 7 0r 8. I love this picture of her with us kids. We loved her and she loved us. This may have been the last time I saw her. Other than being a nurse, the other main memory I have of my Aunt Verna is that she would bring each of us a book when she would come to visit. Now she didn't just bring any old books, she brought special ones. To this day, I have 3 books from her. Two were gifts and the other was given to me after she died.





This book is the story of a little soldier who wins a large battle by making large amounts of his world famous Apple Strudel and shooting them out of cannons. I read this book over and over as a kid.










This book is seriously cute. It was published in England. I think this book may have been given to my brother and sister too but somehow I ended up with it all these years. This is the story of this little bear's day. This was my favorite page in the book. I loved looking at all the stuff in his little house!!

Thanks for stopping by my Show & Tell today. For more, you can visit Kelli, over at No Place Like Home.

23 comments:

Mary said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mary said...

Rebecca,

I love the books your aunt gave you. These books are precious and the illustrations are lovely. These are treasured memories of your aunt.

This week I posted about a very special gift from my aunt as well. If you have time please drop by.

Blessings,
Mary

Kathy said...

What a beautiful post and tribute to your Aunt Verna. She must have been a very special and unselfish person...Kathy@ Mimi's Garden

Anonymous said...

Your Aunt sounds like such a wonderful lady. I really enjoyed reading about her this morning. Your photos, your books adn your story are so very special. Thank you for sharing her with us.

Hugs,
Cookie

Susie said...

Your Aunt sounds so special. I think that instilling the love of books and reading in a child is a wonderful legacy with which to remember her!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this story. I visit your blog first time and enjoy very much.

I will be back tomorrow. Have a nice day!

Ruuta

Hootin Anni said...

Sweet, sweet books.

[and I love your pepto bismol story below too!]


My SnT this week is Native American Jewelry. I also added a book review this morning too, so scroll down below the review for commenting. Happy Friday to you.......

Jerri junque said...

Sweet books and sounds like a special lady too. I love to give books as a gift, just seems like the thing to do, since I love to read,

LBP said...

Those books are just precious! Even more special since they were given to your from a very special aunt!

Blessings

Linda

Constance said...

WOW! How wonderful and sad all at the same time! I love hearing about people's special treasures and how they are connected to special people in their lives! No wonder you treasure them so much!
Connie

Constance said...

Happy Birthday a day late! Today is our youngest daughter's 21st Birthday!
Connie

Anonymous said...

What a neat lady! Those books are precious in themselves but especially in connection with the giver of them.

A Hint of Home said...

Your aunt certainly had a servant's heart. What sweet memories you have of her.

Dawn said...

What special memories!

Anita said...

Your Aunt Verna must have been a very special person and I wonder how she lead her life as a nurse in Africa.

How wonderful that you still have those precious books that she gave to you and your brothers! I would love to read more about the adventures of Farmer Benny Bear!

Thanks a lot for sharing these special memories!

Blessings, Anita

Timalee said...

How great that you kept those books all these years to remember your Aunt by.

I love you post about your Birthday, great story!

Anonymous said...

Hello Rebecca! Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful memories and photos with us. I enjoyed peeking at those precious books! Have a blessed day. ~ Heather

Wanita said...

What a lovely tribute to your aunt. I'm sure each time you look at the books she gave you you're thankful for the sweet memories you have of her.

Have a lovely weekend!

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Rebecca, This was a beautiful story! The books were precious and what treasures!

Happy Belated Birthday!
~Rhonda

on the ROCKS said...

Happy Birthday( I read your other post....it was so cute)

Your Aunt Verna sounds like a very special woman. The picture of her with all of the children is so sweet. It is wonderful that you still have the books that she gave you.
Roxy

JEWELGIRL said...

A lovely story about your Aunt
Verna. She was a great lady, she
got you to read, and books you like! She was a treasure indeed!

Kelli said...

Your Aunt sounds like she was a very kind and special lady, Rebecca. Your books are wonderful treasures!
~Kelli

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

What a sweet way to feature the books from your aunt and a tribute to her.

I like your blog!

Katherine