Heather Spurlock

The “Crunch Years”

I was greeted by Uncle Jim and Aunt Lou, with welcomed arms. A sweet kiss on the cheek, asking how my kids are doing. They came from St George to visit my ailing mother in a rehabilitation hospital. It was sweet to catch up with these relatives after a long break in communication. There was laughter and smiles. They make me feel like I am important to them. Love was shown.

When it was my time to leave mom, I mentioned we had a death of my husband’s, Aunt Ella. Aunt Ella has been a part of of lives for six years. She purchased a home 7 houses away from us, as a new widow, moving from Tennessee. I had met her but had not had the chance to get to know her until 2004. She only had her sister left in immediate family that lived some distance away. So we were the on the spot family for daily visits, mowing the lawn, and repairs. She was a funny lady that made you laugh. She always kept us up to date with the “Robb” family and who was in graces with her and not. When you visited her you were strongly encouraged to take a drink of your choice, she found out our favorites and always had them cold for us. She would sit with us and enjoy her Coke. You never left her house in less you had a tin of her famous fudge. If you all ready had some, you needed more. When she made banana pudding we seemed to get some too. I asked her many times for the recipe of the banana pudding and she would not share it. Until one day I made her orange fluff salad, she wanted my recipe. I finally got the coveted recipe.

Aunt Ella fell and broke her hip in November. The following day she had surgery to repaired the hip. Following the surgery she had a massive stoke and never recovered. Sunday this angel left this world at 83 years young. I am sad at my loss but happy for the reunion with of her siblings, parents and extended family on the other side. It must be similar to when I was greeted with Uncle Jim and Aunt Lou. arms opened and love received.

I was explaining to the family at the nursing home we had some family choices we had to make. This weekend the funeral in SLC and burial in Paragonah or the farewell of my niece Tia in St. George called to Germany/Austria mission. We can’t do it all. Mom’s roommate at the rehab piped up, you are in the “crunch years”. As I reflect on her statement I agree. I feel pressure from all points. What the roommate does not know is that I had a son move back home from Florida. We are moving him out of his old room to vacate his room for my mother-in-law to move in. My sister is getting a divorce who has 8 kids. Another sister struggling with breast cancer. We are preparing a son for a mission call, while I am also a student finishing my Associates Degree.

As I reflect on my crunch situation. It is hard to balance it all. I don’t want to rush when my time comes to meet my maker and other family members, so I will do the best I can. Aunt Ella made it through the crunch time to a peaceful time. Aunt Ella, I love you, save a hug for me.