40 Diamonds for 40: Awesome Aunties, Aunt Jerry

After 40 years, it's still amazing to me what little nuggets of family lore are coming to light thanks to my bright diamonds. For example, I never knew that I shared a birthday with my Aunt Jerry's sister-in-law. According to my mother, Jerry met Jack thanks to his sister Deb, who was Jerry's friend. Lots of other fun people share our birthday, including: actress Kim Novak, actor George Segal, and Peter Tork of the Monkees (who also went to school right up the road from where I grew up in CT!)

Aunt Jerry and Uncle Jack still live in the house across the street from where Grandma Roa used to live. My memories of trips to Ogden always involve seeing them, or seeing my cousin Cindy, and/or Cindy's kids Jackie and DJ. In addition to her duties as a daughter, mother, wife, grandma, and now a great-grandma, I remember Jerry's artistry as a beautician, a crafter, a decorator, and her many endeavors as an entrepreneur. Some things don't fall far off the family tree.

l-r: Grumpa Max and his little sister, my Aunt Jerry with their mother, my Grandma Roa date unknown; Aunt Jerry and Uncle Jack in the driveway of their Utah house, c. August 2010

HI! Kid, HAPPY 40th DAY YOU WERE BORN! Have a great day, and wonderful year.

I know you wanted pics and memories of your youth. I have no pics to contribute, but I am sure you'll have plenty, before the year is gone.

My memory is from the day you were born. We were at Uncle Jack's parents' home, celebrating his sister Deb's birthday, when we got the call you had arrived. We were really excited to think we would be celebrating not only Deb's B-Day, but yours also. Oh how time slips away from us.

LUV YA, Aunt Jer