The "An Aunt who seemed like a Sister" Story

It was an ordinary day. Just left Willow Valley after having the breakfast buffet. Had a family gathering on Christmas Eve day to see everyone and exchange a few gifts. Had to be about 50 or more in our group. This was all arranged by my Aunt Lois, who has worked at Willow Valley for an eternity and loves it so much she won't retire. Now you would think that my aunt would be ancient, since I have been on Medicare for 2 years now, but that's not the case.

Seems that Lois was born 21 months before me. My grandmother on my mother's side gave birth 20 years after having my mother. Talk about a surprise! My mom called it a "change of life" birth. When I was born my dad was in the Army so my mom and I lived with her family at 617 South Prince St. in Lancaster. I had an instant friend in my Aunt Lois who was a little over a year and a half older than me. I don't remember much about that time in history, but I have a few photos that show Lois and me playing on the front porch at 617. My mom had not only me to care for, but also helped in raising her sister. She would regularly take the two of us in a buggy to Central Market, a distance of about a mile. When my dad got out of the Army a year later, we moved

in with his mother at 145 North Pine St., since they had more room in the house. Did get to visit with my aunt on a regular basis. She was a regular visitor when we moved to 929 North Queen St. a few years later. Spent many vacations together along the Chesapeake at Crystal Beach. I can still remember the two of us eating the strawberry or caramel dixie cups at the store along the beach front. For years we shared holidays and summer visits. And, before long I was a high school sophomore, and was meeting her boyfriend. John was cool! He had a 1959 Chevy Impala with a 348 cubic inch engine. White in color with a red interior. Had those fins on the back and looked like it could fly. And .... fly it did when John was driving. He was a year older than Lois who was a high school senior by now. Took me for a ride in it the first time I met him. He was an instant friend. John lived in Mt. Nebo which is in southern Lancaster County. Came from a big family. Lois married him eventually and I got to see him on a regular basis. Then when I met Carol, we would visit with John and Lois at their home in Rawlinsville. John helped me change the head gasket on my '58 Chevy in the driveway of his house. What a cool guy!

Lois and John would eventually be members of our wedding party. We still get to visit with each other on a regular basis. Tend to meet up with them many times at Moravian Manor when we visit with my mom and her sister. Our children are close to the same ages. We still get to travel to the Chesapeake for a weekend meal or a weekend trip to a B&B. She has always been the sister I never had. And ....... she is such a nice person!! Of course, that is hereditary, you know. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - top pix is Lois and me on the porch at 617 S. Prince and the bottom photo of our wedding party shows Lois as the girl on the far right and John as the second from the right in the back row.