The Irises we planted a couple of years ago are stunning this year. It is a fitting tribute to my Aunt Iris who passed away on May 5th. Iris never married or had children of her own, but she was very involved in the lives of her nieces and nephews. As a school teacher, she had lots of experience with little ones and I remember her home as a fun, child friendly place. She took me to the State Fair, the best state fair in our state. She taught me good manners but also made a lot of fun for me when I visited her at the farm or her apartment in Hutchinson. When I grew up, moved away, and had a family of my own, I didn't see that much of Iris but she always asked me to come visit. We did that when we could and especially when we moved back to Wichita in 1996. But it wasn't until my own parents died in 2003 that we started to grow close. Chuck and I drove to Hutch often to take care of household chores that she couldn't handle any longer. When she moved into a retirement home, we visited and had lunch with her. The chores became simpler but we knew she mostly needed our company. I began to truly appreciate what a treasure both she and her sister, Thekla were, and I thank God for that. I see that the date of my last blog is April 28. That is the day Iris began her journey into eternity. The home where she lived called to say Iris was going to the hospital. A few hours later they called to say they were bringing her here. My cousin and her daughter came two days later and, along with my daughter, we visited Iris. Every day she slipped a little further from us. A few days later in hospice, she passed away from us. I miss her and wish I could tell her about the service we had and about the family who gathered for her. She would have loved that. But I smile when I think that she is finally out of her pained filled body and flying high with Jesus. I will see her again.
