Aunt Marlae was a constant in my life. Our Call family gatherings were always attended by her and Uncle Mike. They were always involved and eager to involve others. Marlae was very much like my Grandma Call. Inquisitive and interested in others, no matter how you walked your walk in life; no matter how different your life was from their own, you were valuable and loveable. People like Grandma Call and Marlae are rare. It's normal human behavior to be self interested, roaming the world to discover ones value and importance. Marlae never seemed to be focused on such things... she was genuinely, authentically, more interested in discovering the value and importance in others. I am so fortunate to have known both these ladies, to have been loved by them, appreciated by them, and influenced by them during my lifetime. I have deeply grieved the loss of my Grandparents generation. There are a few great aunts and uncles who are hanging on, who I value immensely. But Marlae was the first of my parents generation to pass. This was a rather unwelcome milestone for me. I hope I can find more optimism in my own generation, and make it a better one by striving to be like my Grandparents, and my beloved Aunt Marlae. Your absence will be felt sweet lady. I love how you reminded me so often that I was the first brand new newborn you had ever held. You wanted me to know how special I was to you, and how much my birth meant to you. Thank you for loving me. For showing me by example how to love others without conditions. I promise to let your influence shape my future, and never forget you or what you stood for.
