My Sweetest Gift, a Childhood Memory

My auntie came to visit when I was three, but nearly four. I proudly and lovingly wore her name gifted to me, a sweet legacy. I was filled with excitement and delight, her eyes twinkled in merriment. She happily told me that we were going downtown, so get ready to go! My bare feet pattered as I ran down the tiled hall to my room. Grasping my red tennis shoes I raced to her as quickly as a tot can run. A beaming smile upon the face of my dear aunt met me with a chuckle. Bending down to me a kiss, then she kneeled to tie my shoes. She poured forth sweetness, embellishing her love into my little heart. Happiness froze to disappointment and melted into tears. Breaking through my reverie was Mother's irritated and tired voice. Auntie's face reflected disappointment, and my uncle turned away. She and I were scolded. I wasn't going. I was sent straight to my room. "To bed!" Mother said, "It is past your bedtime and you're not coming!" I snuffled my tears, and muffled my sobs in my unhappy indignation. Auntie came softly, apologetically into my room. Tucking me, then sat. She gently dried my tears and spoke softly, "I'm sorry little one." She continued with sadness lilting her voice, sweetly, angelically. Auntie's precious heart reached through the downpour of my rain. Cloud bursts of my storm of misery subsided a bit. She continued. An umbrella of sweetness to somehow shield me from pure sorrow. "I didn't know it was your bedtime, but you go to sleep now. I will buy you something special from the store. What do you want?" I dried a few drops of final rain that had trickled down my cheeks, "A Sugar Daddy lollipop!" I said without hesitation, storm subsiding. Auntie's sadness lifted from her face as she smiled and repeated, "A Sugar Daddy lollipop? Ok!" I clapped my hands and added "A big one, this big!!" I largely demonstrated with my hands. "A giant Sugar Daddy pop!" Auntie's face seemed suddenly doubtful. "I don't think they make them that big." I assured her they did. "Yes! They do!" I excitedly explained to her that I saw one myself! "I saw a little girl at Mary's school, and she had one!" "Well, I'll do my best!" she said hopefully and very decidedly. She kissed my forehead and tucked my blanket up adding; "Now you go to sleep! When you wake up in the morning you'll have a Sugar Daddy pop!" I snuggled down in happiness and contentment. Auntie softly left the room, glancing back at me, "Goodnight, sweet dreams. I love you." Her voice came from the door. "I love you too!" I answered back, and I did. I loved her so. Morning came early, but my siblings had already left for school. My eyes opened to the new day, and then I remembered, my Auntie! I was out of my bed in an instant, jammied feet pattering mutely. Quickly my little legs carried me to the coffee scented kitchen. Mother and Aunt were at the table chatting together comfortably. As soon as Auntie's eyes saw me they twinkled joyfully, my mom smiled. "Good morning!" My aunt greeted me cheerfully with a happy smile. She rose and walked over to a bag, as she lifted it she told me "I found Sugar Daddy's, but I looked and looked and couldn't find a Sugar Daddy as big as you had hoped." She looked a little doubtful as she explained this to me. "I even asked a girl at the store, she never saw one that big." I waited. "But! I found a big bag of little Sugar Daddy lollipops! She flourished the largest bag of my favorite lollipops I'd ever seen! She smiled as my arms held the bag. I held it in awe, of it and her! "You can share them with your brother and sisters!" She added confidently. My dear aunt. She always let me know her love without shadowy doubt. I was very loved and precious to her, her namesake. Blessed little me. She had given me more than sweets, she also gave me a gift of sharing. To share a gift that I owned! I was the littlest! It was a wonderful gift! My Aunt's sweet and wonderful gift, love! I've treasured it all of my life. My beloved Auntie passed away in 2008. Her memorial approached. Full of my memories, love, and tears she could no longer dry. Cherishing the precious gift of so long ago, I decided to go on a quest. The lollipop that once was found in almost every grocery store? Elusive. I looked and looked. I asked clerks at many stores, but to no avail. I remembered seeing some old fashioned candies at a restaurant once. I called the roadside eatery and asked a girl who answered the phone. My last hope in town of finding my intently sought for treasure. "Sugar Daddy lollipops? Yes, we have bags of them!" The voice assured. Driving across the city, in quest of love's gift, it was her quest long ago. In the store the woman handed me the bags. I cried. My husband quietly looked about the small retro store in the restaurant. There were candies and tin toys, old fashioned trucks and cars, and then! An awed gasp. My husband's gentle eyes were filled with amazement. He lifted something, and turning to me, he held out, a seeming miracle. There in his hands was a once sought after gift, a giant Sugar Daddy pop. Somehow I felt she must know! A smile from heaven touched my heart! . I joyfully held the gift in my amazed hands. Somehow, she felt so near. At her funeral I shared this memory of my dear and precious auntie. Each attendee, and there were many, gratefully accepted a small gift. In her loving honor, each received a small Sugar Daddy lollipop. Each held the memory of her love, which was the sweetest gift of all.