Happy Birthday Nuna!

On a lovely summer day, June 7, 1919, Eunice Arlena Smith was born. 

With one big brother, she would soon be the big sister of 7 more siblings.

She has been a loving daughter, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, 

friend and mentor, and she is my hero.

Eunice & Carl Petersen with Carla, Candace & Scott

She doesn't remember me anymore, 
and this fact drives me to tears every time I think of it. 

But what matters is that I remember her. 

I remember everything . . . the smell of her house, her kitchen, her bread baking;

the feel of her hands squeezing me tight and her voice calling me "punkin" and telling me she loves me.

Making hand-dipped chocolates together, 

waking up in her house every Christmas morning of my childhood,

taking walks, talking, cleaning, working in the garden--

all of my memories of her are sweet. 

She was always hospitable, always gracious. 

She fed the poor, helped the needy, and welcomed everyone. 

She raised 3 amazing children, worked, cooked, cleaned, and loved.

Today she is 92. 

She doesn't remember much, doesn't do much, and doesn't say much,

but she has left a beautiful impression on everything her hands have touched.

Happy Birthday Nuna. I love you to the moon and back. 

My sister Carrie, my Nuna and me. Summer, 2009