Michele ....With One L.

Like many a little girl, I grew up singing a lot of little jump rope and patty-cake songs:

… My Boyfriend’s name is Sambo, he comes from Alabambo (which we would oh so cleverly swap with the local Lac du Flambeau)  …with a pickle on his nose and a cherry on his toes. E-I-E-I-O, SAMBO!

    …the one about Miss Mary Mack Mack Mack all Dressed in Black Black Black with Silver Buttons Buttons Buttons all down her Back Back Back…

But the one that comes to my mind most--even to this very day--is the name song.  Over and over and over we would sing it – and in my mind, my beloved Aunt Michele’s name is always the name of choice.  Shella Shella bo Bella, Banana Fanna fo Fella, Fe Fi Fo Fella, SHELLA!   

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Shella, Shell, S, Michele with one L. Kate’s Great-Granddaughter.  Gus?   She goes by a lot of names.  She is a very hard worker, a beautiful, strong woman.  Determined, creative, innovative, forgiving, accepting, loving.  Stylish, loving.  Aunt Extraordinaire.  And… Cinco de Mayo Birthday girl.

Happy Birthday, Aunt S. ... I spent the week in a hotel for work, spending my evenings thinking about our shared adventures over the years, trying to figure out what was **just right** to blog about for your birthday.  The shopping trips, bagel retrieval missions, whoopee cushions and plastic spiders? Laughing fits where our faces were beyond red?  Laughing fits where me and my sister ended up under the table in embarrassment?!  Nah, none of it was quite right.  But, wow - was I flooded with memories of shared moments!  How many girls get to spend so much time with their aunt as I was blessed to be able to have while growing up?  Not only am I blessed to have you as an Aunt, I have been blessed with so much time with you over the years...

When you were 16 I was born.  I recall you telling me how cool that was for you to have a niece when still in high school.  I may not remember that time myself, but I'm sure we spent many a minute together.  As I grew, I remember visiting you at college and thinking "HOW COOL IS MY AUNT? She lives on her own, far away...So. Flipping. Neat!"  I remember you moving back, I remember meeting your boyfriend, I remember your a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e. wedding dress (SO beautiful and classic, just like you) and was inspired by your small wedding - so intimate and special. (Your wedding is what inspired mine!)

I remember your gift basket business and shrink wrapping basket's in grandma and grandpa's living room.   I remember you opening the coffee shop, and then is when our many hours together began.   I was in 3rd grade when it opened. I was a senior in college when you sold it.  I grew up there, I grew up in your shadow - learning from you (and mom and grandma) ... getting to know you, sharing loving and living life together.  

The shop sold and you opened another business with B, I moved to Minnesota and life changed for a while.  The next time I saw you is when the girls all packed up to come rescue me from Minnesota.  That was a hard time for me, BUTT you ladies made that ride home unforgettable.
Shella, I can't pinpoint one moment we've shared to write about... but I find it comforting that I'm flooded with memories.  That means we've spent a ton of quality time together... time I cherish.

Happy birthday, my dear Shell.  I love you.

-t.

^ Don't ask me, I found it on Google :)

<3 u, S.

Happy Birthday, SHELLA

Springtime, for me always includes thoughts of you, Shell, for this is the time of year when you arrived on this earth. Along with the promise of fresh air, lovely flowers and sweet, warm days, your smile and sweetness have always been easy to love.
Like a rainbow, you brought color to our family as you grew from that tiny baby into the beautiful woman you are today.

Uniquely Shell:
Instead of a blanket, you preferred to pinch my elbow as you nursed.

You could say your ABC's as easily backwards as forward. This, before you were three years old.

You frightened me and always got my attention when, as a baby,you seemed to pass out by crying and holding your breath.

You were eager to go to school before you were four, willing to take your brother's place in kindergarten (even as he was determined to drop out).

You visited each family on the block, giving them updates on neighborhood news (mostly stuff about us, since, at age 4, that's really all you knew about).

You eagerly played the part of student while your older sister conducted her version of school..all in her pretend classroom.

Always curious, your school years resulted in consistently high marks.

On your 8th birthday we awoke to 8 inches of fresh snow...the bicycle you got as a birthday gift had to be set aside for a while.

You were always the peacemaker, smoothing out disputes between your sister and brother.

You blew up our water bed...Ooohhh that's a story for another post!

As a co-owner in our restaurant, I discovered what a fantastic manager and communicator you are and how much the younger employees looked to you as a role model.

You have become such a beautiful, gracious, loving adult....someone I am proud to know.


There's so much more to say.....but really, mostly, I want to say happy, happy birthday, SHELLA!