Before my teenage years my parents attended two different churches. I would go with my Mom to Methodist church and my brother would go with my Dad to Baptist church. When I went to church with my Mom I remember always being surrounded by women in my family. I’m just now realizing how great this is; to be surrounded by the love of the strong women in my family. My grandmother and her sister Aunt Mae, my mother and her two sisters, and me all sat in the same area at church. I remember feeling confident sitting next to everybody and ready for church to be over with because I had something to look forward to. After church we were going to Aunt Mae’s house; well apartment. Aunt Mae was an older woman, like a second grandmother. She was already retired from working and lived alone.
After church ended, we walked to the cars which were packed up with our extra clothes and a doll or two for me to play with. As soon as we arrived at Aunt Mae’s house we’d all rush to change out of our dressy uncomfortable church clothes and into our comfortable loose clothes and were ready to eat. Aunt Mae always cooked for us and the food was always so good. Baked chicken with onions, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy and fresh homemade rolls with an option to use some of her homemade jelly. Afterwards I remember everyone being so full from eating that a nap was in order. Some of us would go to her room for a nap while the others sat and talked.
Aunt Mae was a woman of few words but she always had something special to give me. One time she gave me a porcelain tea set. In her apartment I remember feeling comfortable, safe, loved and like one of women in the room even though I was a child. It was like I was part of a special after church on Sunday club. Just being around other women, listening and watching was cool. I’m grateful for her bringing us together. She lived to be 97 years old. I’m grateful I had her in my life.
Copyright © 2025 by Allura Eshmun