I lived with my Aunt Liz, Uncle Ernie and Cousin Erin when I was a sophomore in high school. I had never attended a public school before so there were a lot of "new" experiences for me. I remember how generous Aunt Liz was, sharing their home with me and making me feel truly welcome. She set me up in a little bedroom in the basement adjacent to Erin's room. It still had stuff stored but it was neatly stacked in boxes against the wall as was the case for most of the house. Liz was a packrat just like her mom, Grama Rose, but she was incredibly clean and orderly!
I remember her making me feel like I was a good cook whenever I made bean and cheese burritos. I liked to serve them with black olives, lettuce and tomatoes. She would always join me in eating them and rave about how good they were. She made me feel so appreciated!
I remember that she had quite a few friends that would stop by to visit. I found it remarkable that she would always stop whatever she was doing and fully engage in the visit. She was very hospitable sharing whatever she had to refresh her guests.
I loved going out to eat with Aunt Liz. It was a big treat and didn't happen often but I had never eaten out in my life so it was a bit treat! Her favorite place was called Little Big Man. They served incredible pizza and had a wonderful salad bar. Five stars in my book!!!
I remember Aunt Liz cheerfully getting up with me at 4:30am to drive me to work at the Yogo Inn where I had a job as a breakfast waitress on the weekends. I enjoyed meeting new people and felt proud to work at the "Jewel of Central Montana"! I used my tip money to buy brand new sneakers for gym class at school. They were white and blue and very comfy.
Erin and I got to attend ballet class taught by Wendy Pfau. We loved dancing! Erin had a beautiful pair of pink ballet slippers that she practiced and danced in. She kept them hanging on a hook on her bedroom wall. I loved to watch her practice doing her point exercises. She would always put on tights, leotard, and skirt even to practice. She was very good and looked so beautiful! At the holidays, our whole dance class was involved in a performance and the Lewistown Christmas Parade. I felt like a celebrity!
I had my first and only experience going to prom when I lived with Aunt Liz. Erin let me borrow a stunning dress she had from the Miss. Montana pageant. She and Aunt Liz taught me how to walk in high heels. I remember practicing walking back and forth across the basement floor trying not to wobble. Erin put my hair up and let me borrow some beautiful dangly earrings. I felt so glamorous!
Erin was in the 8th grade and still went to a middle school but her boyfriend, was also sophomore and went to Fergus High with me. They would send each other notes back and forth through me each day. Her confidence was contagious! I felt like a part of the cool kids!
After school, Erin and I loved to come home and eat a sandwich and GORP while watching Duck Tales. We never had a TV in our home so getting to watch cartoons with Erin after school felt like huge treat!
Aunt Liz worked as a CNA while I lived with them. I remember her going to work and being gone when we got home from school but was there for us too.
I had my first experience going to church with Aunt Liz and Erin. They attended a Seventh Day Adventist church. The first Saturday I was with them, we were all getting ready to go to church. I put on my best pair of pants (they were black) and blouse (mostly black with a little red) and pair of black boots. I thought I looked pretty good! I remember going into Erin's room and she said, "Are you going to get ready?" I said "I am ready." She said "Oh, well you have to wear a dress when you go to church." Uh oh.... "I don't have a dress." Not a problem! Erin opener her closet and quickly outfitted me with an appropriate dress, pantyhose and shoes. We went to church and I attended Sunday school for the first time in my life.
I had my first discipline from Uncle Ernie. I had a date to go to the movie with Kipp Kluth and we had agreed that I would be home by 10pm. Kipp and I were careful to get back to the house before 10am and parked his car right in front of the house where Ernie could see us from him comfy chair. I thought I had fulfilled the expectation of home by 10pm and we sat in Kipp's car talking for a while. When I came in the house, Ernie was mad and told me I was being disrespectful. He was a military man and had strict expectations about certain things. Apparently, timeliness and accountability were high on his list. He required me to write a paper defining the meaning of integrity, respect and few other words. I was furious! I had not done anything wrong! We were home before 10pm and he could see us the whole time we sat in the car! Grrr! Ernie would not relent and insisted that I write the paper and explain why my actions were disrespectful. Interestingly enough, during the process, I started to see Ernie's point of view. Thank you, Uncle Ernie, for teaching me about integrity and respect! He also taught me how to parallel park in his backhoe in the backyard. Erin and I loved to drive that thing! It was so cool!!!
I moved to back to Big Water, Utah after my sophomore year in Lewistown, Montana but Erin and I have stayed closed for decades thereafter. She married one my dear childhood friends; Warren Manness and she sang at my wedding over twenty years ago when I married Tim Moore. What a incredible opportunity and blessing my Aunt Liz gave me!!!
While she was in the hospital after her stroke, I got to sit with her and hold her hand. My granddaughter, Kaylee, was with us and although Liz couldn't talk, it felt good to introduce her to Kaylee and let her know that her love and compassion for others would carry on. My aunt Liz was so kind and gentle. I always felt a very special bond with her.
May you rest in peace Aunt Liz. May you be surround by God's grace and love for all eternity.
Share with others
Donate in memory
