Over the years of jabbering on about house stuff I occasionally get questions about my family. How many siblings I have, how I grew up, etc. I always say it was a somewhat un-traditional childhood… in the best possible way. I was raised by my mom and dad, who split up when I was very young (a few years after my younger brother Daniel was born) so we just had two houses and bounced happily between them.
I remember when a kid at school once teased me for having divorced parents and I put the “I have two houses and you only have one and I get double the holiday presents” spin on it. Looking back, it was a moment of pure genius. Haha. No more teasing.
I also grew up with my half brother Adam, who was born after my dad married my step mom Nina a while later (he was 11 years younger than me). You might remember him from his cameo in the most embarrassing moment ever caught on film when I was 17.
But I always say I’m the oldest of five – and the only girl. So where do the other two fit in? Well, my Aunt Kay Kay (as we lovingly call my mom’s sister) and her two sons named David and Darius actually moved in with us when my brother and I were very young (my brother was 3 and I was 6). My mom is one of seven children, and while many of my aunts and uncles lived closer, Aunt Kay Kay and her kids used to live in Maryland, so we didn’t get to see our cousins very often, who were 2 and 4 at the time when they moved in… which was just one of about a million reasons we were SO excited for them to move in with us.
My aunt had been diagnosed with a craptastic disease called Multiple Sclerosis, so raising all four of us under one roof with my mom was a way that my mom could lend a hand to my aunt and also a way that my aunt could help us. My mom’s an attorney, and back in those days she was working her buns off to make partner at her firm, so she often got home late. So it was great to come home to my aunt after school, and on most nights she cooked us dinner and helped us with our homework. It was kind of a crazy house with four kids so close in age (four kids born within five years), but growing up with them honestly made me who I am today. Here’s my Aunt Kay Kay with me and my cousin David in the pool when we were little. Isn’t she beautiful?
My aunt was always laughing. She was “the nice one” while I, being the oldest of all the boys, proudly wore my title as “the bossy one.” My brother was “the smart one,” my cousin Darius was “the funny one,” my cousin David was “the crazy one,” and my mom was “the strict one.” So you can guess that when it came down to asking an adult if we could do something… well, we’d usually ask my aunt before my mom.
It was an odd little madhouse, but it was our madhouse and we loved it. So when people ask me how many siblings I have, I usually just say that I’m the oldest of five, and the only girl. But for those who have time for more details, I explain that my total includes one brother, one half brother, and two cousins who grew up under one roof with us like they were our brothers. We had all sorts of adventures over the years – from building forts in the woods to epic sock fights (don’t ask) and karate tournaments in New York City (that’s Darius on the left, me next to him, Daniel second from the right, and David on the right). We kicked some booty that day.
My aunt battled with her multiple sclerosis like a champ. Always smiling and making jokes. Always working hard to stay mobile. First she walked with a cane, then a walker, then a wheelchair, and for the last ten years or so she has been bedridden. Didn’t stop her from smiling (most notably when we stuck Burger or Clara in her bed – that always made her giggle). Strongest, bravest and sweetest woman I know.
Yesterday she passed away. It was a very very sad day. So although this might sound like a bummer of a post, I wrote it because I always wanted to remember how amazing and life-changing it was to grow up with such an awesome lady in my life. And I want Clara to be able to read about her Great Aunt Kay Kay someday. She could light up a room then, and thinking about her now brings a smile to my face. Just picturing us all gathered around the breakfast table fills me with nostalgia.
We’ll be back this afternoon with some regular DIY-related fare. In the meantime, feel free to tell/call/text/email/skype the ones you love. Family is such a blessing. And I’m so thankful for the one I got.
Kate C. says
Beautiful post, Sherry. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Kendall says
So sorry for your loss. She sounds like she was a wonderful woman, and how blessed you are to have grown up surrounded by so much love and laughter.
Jen says
Sherry, I’m so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your memories with us.
julie g. says
Hi Sherry. I’m sorry for your family and for what I could not imagine your Aunt Kay Kay had to endure. You have written a beautiful tribute in her honor and a gentle reminder of how important it is to let those around us know how much they are loved.
Sarah M says
So incredibly sorry for your loss! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your beautiful family.
Linda P says
I’m so very sorry for your loss. We all have a special relative like that and I’ll be sure to send love to mine today in honor and in memory of your sweet Aunt Kay Kay. (((HUGS)))
Courtney says
Sorry for your loss Sherry! The good thing is you are able to have such wonderful memories. You will never forget her and all the awesome times you had together! Our prayers are with you and your family
Amy says
Your Aunt sounds like an amazing woman. I’m glad you could memorialize her this way and share her with us. So sorry for your loss.
Amy S says
Praying for you and your family during this time.
She sounded like a beautiful, vivacious, loving, and charismatic woman who you were blessed to be around, as she was blessed to be around all of you.
I loved hearing about your background, and the people who mean so much to you.
May each day bring a little more joy into your lives, and a little more comfort during the hard times!
Donna says
Sherry, what a beautiful tribute to your aunt. She sounded like a warm and fuzzy person. Thinking of you and your family.
Patti says
Oh Sherry, so sorry for your loss! What a wonderful blended family you grew up with! Peace to you and your family.
Kim says
Oh, Sherry, I’m so sad to hear about your family’s loss. But you wrote a beautiful tribute to your aunt, and I’m glad you got to spend so many years with her. And how wonderful that she was able to watch you start your own family! Hugs to you. Be kind to yourself — grief is hard. xoxo
Kristen | Popcorn on the Stove says
I’m so sorry for your loss, Sherry. It sounds like she was a wonderful woman, especially to have such a positive outlook on life.
One of my childhood friends passed away last Sunday. We’re only in our mid-twenties so it’s pretty devastating news to get. I’ve been turning my attention to painting (it helps me cope)… maybe you’ll find a project or activity that can help you feel better :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Kristen! We’re doing a lot of book layout finalizing, and in some weird way the distraction is really nice. Can’t wait for the next batch of layouts to get here today so I can bury my nose in them. And of course there’s lots of Clara-snuggling going on.
xo,
s
Misty says
I’m so sorry for your loss, Sherry! My prayers are with you and your family.
Lauren says
Sherry, I’m so sorry for you and your family’s loss. Your post was a lovely tribute to your Aunt. My prayers are with you all.
Kathleen says
What a lovely post and a beautiful tribute you to your Aunt and family. My condolences for your loss.
Emily M. says
Such a terrible disease. I grew up with a close friend whose mom had/still has it. So sorry for your loss.
It’s wonderful that you have so many good memories about her. It sounds like her wonderful spirit has made an impression on you and your own.
Wishing you and your family all the best as you go forward.
Rachel says
I’m so sorry to hear about your aunt.
Crystal says
So sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing the special memories of your Aunt.
Laura@JourneyChic says
Oh, Sherry I’m so sorry for your loss! It’s a terrible disease. MS is a terrible disease. My friend’s mom has it and her little sister was diagnosed with it when she was only 16 – very unusual. it’s wonderful that you have so many wonderful memories of her aunt. More too – you look a lot like her! Best wishes to you and your family.
Laura says
Your posts about your family always leave me crying in my office. They are so beautiful and filled with love. I am sorry for your loss. She sounds like an amazing woman.
Brynn says
Love, sympathy and prayers being sent your way.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Melissa Irvin says
My sympathies to you and your family. Your aunt favored your mom so much. What an amazing life she led and lucky you for being such a part of it.
Sara says
So sorry for your loss — but how blessed you were to have such a strong support system growing up.
Nupur says
Oh Sherry- what a sweet tribute to a lovely person. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Dana P. says
I’m so sorry for your loss. This was a beautiful tribute.
Lou Anne says
What a beautiful tribute to a clearly wonderful and very special lady. I will be praying for you and your family.
Alisa D. says
I’m so sorry for the loss of your wonderful Aunt, Sherry. Hugs to you.
Maria Schweighofer says
I am so sorry for your loss. For the past 4 years, I have been blessed with the opportunity to lead and encourage a team of people dedicated to raising money to fight MS by participating in the MS 150- a 150+ mile bike ride from Frisco (Dallas) to Fort Worth, Texas. It is an amazing experience. I am hopeful that one day I won’t be riding for a cure anymore, but riding along side those who HAD MS, because there is a cure.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you celebrate the life of your aunt. God bless.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s amazing! We did MS rides as kids. All four of us with my mom. So much fun!!
xo,
s
r8chel says
Thanks for sharing about your Aunt Kay Kay, who obviously meant a lot to you. In that picture by the pool, I think she looks just like your mom.
Also, I think my grandma had a carafe that matched those juice glasses. :-)
Jessie says
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your aunt sounds like a wonderful lady.
I noticed the blanket you and your brother are on in the first picture. I have one just like it! My grandma, who raised me, quilted mine for me when I was a baby. She’s gone now, but seeing your blanket made me think of her and smile.
xoxo
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so funny! Such a small world.
xo,
s
kate says
So sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your story and your love for your aunt with us. Sending out a prayer to you and your family.
Heather says
Sherry, you had tears running down my face this morning. What a moving blog. I’m sorry for your loss, thoughts and prayers for your family in this time. My mom has MS too. She has also gone the way of your Aunt with crutches/wheelchair to now almost bedridden. All of this happened when I was young so I don’t remember my mom ever walking. It’s a horrible disease that takes away beautiful people. At the same time it also made me a stronger person with having to help.
Jessaca, you are a strong person! I hope that you remain symptom free! Hugs to you!!
Melissa says
I’m so sorry for your loss. It sounds like you’re well on the path of what I wish for you and your family: finding comfort in warm memories.
Caitlin says
Sherry – what a beautiful tribute. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your Aunt. One of my friends has MS and we are so concerned for what the future holds. Clearly Aunt Kay Kay was a real fighter if she battled it for so long. All the best to you and your family.
Megan says
I’m so sorry for your loss. As a person who has had many passings in her family over the past 2 years, I know how hard it can be but you’re right about smiling at the memories and letting your children know their family members and how they were so special. I haven’t personally had any close contact with MS in my family, but I have a lot of cancer in the family and have seen how it affects people and how they change too. It’s horrible to have these diseases out there that can pretty much attack anyone at any moment, taking people away way too soon. Please remember the good moments and share them with your family.
Kim says
I’m so sorry for your loss, but so happy that you had such an incredible woman in your life. Nothing can ever take that away.
Anne says
Thanks for sharing Sherry, prayers to you and your family today.
rachel says
thank you for sharing those beautiful stories of your aunt and family, i’m so sorry for your loss.
Mandy S says
So sorry for your loss, Sherry. A good friend of mine has MS, and its always kind of sad to see how it progresses, as we are still relatively young (not quite 30). He is in good spirits though, and its helped him to find love, so I guess there’s always a silver lining in everything, no matter how you slice it
((HUGS))
Carrie says
What a thoughtful, loving gift for your family. You are lucky to have each other. I’m very sorry for your loss. Keeping you in my thoughts…
sallie says
So sorry for your loss, Sherry. One of my best friends has MS and she’s one of the strongest and most positive people I know. Sounds a lot like your aunt.
Molly says
Oh, Sherry. I’m so sorry. Thank you for sharing this beautiful and personal tribute with us. Thank goodness she got to meet Clara and that you got to love her and share your family with her just as she loved you.
Kathy says
What a lovely reflection, Sherry. Reading it, I felt a heartache one only feels when hearing such news from a good friend – which is how we all view you, through your blog – as good friends. Thank you for sharing. May peace be with you all during this tough time.
P.S. I see a lot of your Aunt Kay Kay in Clara :)
Jennifer says
Thank you for sharing your beautiful memories of your aunt. You and your family are in my thoughts!
Barbara H. says
Thank you for sharing parts of your childhood with us and letting us have a glimpse of your wonderful aunt. What a wonderful gift the sisters gave each other and their children. Peace and blessings to you and all your family at this time of loss and honoring.
Jennifer A says
I am so sorry for your loss. Your Aunt sounds like a most wonderful woman, and your family while odd to others is all your own. Hold on to you memories and thank you for sharing your story with us your interweb readers.
Katie says
I’m so sorry for your loss. I have two full sisters and two half sisters and I never differentiate between them. I just have four sisters.
Tovah says
This was a beautiful post and I am so sorry for your loss. Hold your wonderful memories close as you grieve, and don’t be afraid to lean on your loved ones. I’ll be praying for you and your family.
Katie says
praying for peace as you celebrate her life and love.