Another of my family’s generations is gone. This past one was a very good generation. I only have known two of my generations well. I think this past one was the best of them because I remember my experiences with those people more. It was always about the family and making life better, happier and safer for us. Their sacrifices in trying to achieve that goal did not go unnoticed and I am grateful.

My Aunt Lorrie was the last of them. From my childhood I remember her trying to teach our teenage neighbor Lucy how to slow dance in our living room on 5th Street in Passaic. How my family used to love to dance every second they could. Any excuse would do. The many birthday presents she would giftwrap up in a disguise as a boat or a train or anything else she could think of. Us standing under Niagara Falls on one of our many summer vacations together. Enjoying the numerous visits to the New Jersey shore and the Boardwalk. There was always and adventure to be had there. The long walk our families took on Long Beach Island State Park. As my father was filming the end of our walk back to our cars with his 8mm camera, we all collapsed exaggeratedly exhausted at the end of the path into the sand. It looked like a scene from an old silent movie of weary travelers returning to civilization after being stranded for days in the desert. We laughed and sighed about it, but it really was an exhausting trek.

So many special holidays, christenings, graduations, weddings and birthdays celebrated together. On some of those occasions, the over-the-top move star poses sometimes accompanied by fluttering eyelashes by Aunt Lorrie with or without Uncle Stash for the film or photo camera. That really made me giggle a whole bunch.

Later, in my adult life, the extra special nights she would do a weekend out-to-dinner/sleep over at my home. The considerable discussions we would have late into the night about movies, books and politics while also catching up on the family news. Her excited anticipation at Christmas time to imbibe in some of my homemade eggnog.

We shared our tears and joys with each other. Mostly it was joys.

Aunt Lorrie was the best aunt ever. How lucky I was to have her as my aunt. As the British would say, she was brilliant.

I will remember her always.