A Visit with Aunt Helen Rae

For the last several  months Reed and I have talked about going down to Soda Springs to visit our Aunt Helen Rae.  She is one of two surviving children of our grandparents, Aurthur Phipp and Nina Passey Eborn.  She is currently 88 years old and we hadn't seen her for quite a long time. The other surviving child is Uncle Weldon, who is currently in the nursing home in Montpelier.  We need to make a point to go and see him too. 

Aunt Helen Rae  has always been special to many in the family.  She has gone out of her way to visit us, send us Christmas cards, give us phone calls and just generally shown an interest in so many members of the extended family.  Reed reminded her that nearly everyone who speaks of her includes the word "angel" in their description.  I remember when we lived in Montpelier many of the people we knew always spoke kindly of her after finding that she was our aunt.  I know Mom and Dad appreciated her frequent visits to their home in Lanark, and especially when they were at the Bear Lake Memorial Hospital in Montpelier.  She would often bring a treat and always an encouraging word and a listening ear.  When we lived in Montpelier she and Harry would sometimes stop by to check on Iris and me and our family.  Whenever their was a wedding reception in our family or the extended family she always made an effort to be there.  I can only imagine how many wedding receptions she has attended over the years.

In Aunt Helen Rae's advancing years her body is showing the signs of wear, but her mind is alert and her memory keen.  She takes great pride in her loving family and their accomplishments.  She is fortunate to have her daughter, Janet, and her family living close by in Soda Springs.  While we were there Janet just happened to show up to check on her, which she does often.  This is a great comfort to Aunt Helen Rae.

As I look back over the many years at my own relationship with Aunt Helen Rae, I remember that she always lifted our spirits with her happy smile and words of encouragement.  She never went away without having lifted us and making us feel better than when she came.  What a marvelous ability, one we all should cultivate.

Aunt Helen Rae has always been an example of what a true Christian should be.  She quietly went about doing good wherever she could.  In the process she touched the lives of many people.  Aunt Helen Rae served as a temple officiator for several years in the Logan Temple and it has been a joy to see her there since we started our service.  Lately she has not been able to come because it is becoming to difficult to get around.  In her absence it has been good to see, Janet, at the Temple from time to time.

Aunt Helen Rae was not really thrilled about posing for a picture, but she relented.  Here we see Aunt Helen Rae and her daughter Janet at home in Soda Springs, Idaho.

Here we (Reed and Bart) are with our dear Aunt Helen Rae.  It certainly was worth making the trip to see her.  We hope to do it again.  Today was Valentine's Day and we took her a few roses.  She was happy to be remembered.