Doylene

While living in Texas, eating amazing Mexican food and superb barbeque, I was surprised about many things.  People actually DO wear Wranglers and cowboy hats, cowboy boots and huge belt buckles, like all the time, to the grocery store and to church.  I was surprised at how much wealth people have and how much money people spend - $75 to PARK at Cowboy Stadium on game days, seriously?  But, I wasn't surprised that we were so whole-heartedly welcomed into the arms of the Britton/White/Bowen family.  Not one little bit.  And, of course leading the charge to acclimate us to Texas life was Bobby's Aunt Doylene.

I am truly grateful that Allen and Davis got to spend some time with her, get to know her.  Eat pizza at her dining room table and take naps on her couch.  Help themselves to drinks from her fridge and take her out to lunch.  It was a pleasure for me to get to know her on a deeper level too.  I spent many a pleasant afternoon talking stuff over in her den, shopping for Christmas gifts and carpet, and discussing movies and books.

Unfortunately, we lost Aunt Doylene about a year ago.  It makes me so sad to think that I won't be sending any more letters or cards to "Austrian Way", or that I won't potentially slam the back of my van into a meter buried in her neighbor's yard as I try to back out of her driveway.

Aunt Doylene was a short little Texas lady who loved earrings and having her nails done.  She was passionate about education and women's clubs.  She loved looking at store flyers and decorating her home.  She couldn't pass up a good deal and she loved her family.  Man, did she love us.  I'm thankful that I can include myself in that group and I'm kinda sorry for all y'all that can't.

Though we will always (always) miss Aunt Doylene, there are some things we learned from her that are a part of us now.  Just after she passed away, our family took some time to remember her.  Here's what we think of when we think of Aunt Doylene.

1.  You might as well go ahead and say what you're thinking.  Everyone else is probably thinking it too.  But, say it gently and, if possible, with a smile on your face.

2.  If you have an extra bedroom, someone might as well live in it.  This is a splendid trait inherited directly from her mom and dad, Nana and Papa.  Bobby was a recipient of her hospitality for almost 5 months when he first moved to Texas.  What a blessing that was for us!

3.  We must have been crazy, but when our twin boys were about 5 months old, Bobby and I drove from Alabama to California for a conference.  God had graciously placed friends and family about a days' drive apart, all across the country.  We stayed in hotels during the conference and two other nights.  But, every other night, we were at the warm home of a family member or friend.

One of those nights was spent with Aunt Doylene.  She took so much pressure off of this new mom.  She held babies and fed babies and dressed babies for the whole time we were there.  I still love her for that.

It was a special trip.  Allen and Davis discovered the joys of watching clothes dry in a laundromat dryer and playing with their toes on that trip.  But, one of the highlights was watching Doylene plop baby Davis on her kitchen counter and feed him his breakfast.

4.  This goes along with #2, but Aunt Doylene was incredibly welcoming.  We loved visiting her and DID literally take naps on her couch and help ourselves to drinks in her fridge.  We always knew she would be glad to see us at her door.

5.  We also learned that September 16th is a really good day to have a birthday.  Doylene shared that with Allen and Davis and always declared them her birthday present.

Thanks, Doylene, for these memories and more.  I can see you blushing and laughing and saying, "Welllll..."  We love you.