Vinny Lou - Both Audio and Text

Lavinnia Lewellyn Canasta…my great, great grandpa’s sister… and only childless woman on my mother’s family’s side… Moved to town to live with us when she was eighty-five to help her great, great nephew raise us kids when mother died. Mom was sick for quite awhile before she passed away, so me an’ sister Bonnie did our best to help her cope, Always trying hard to veil the fear within our hearts and keep her from discovering we were slowly losing hope. “Because there is no cure for this,” the doctor’d told my dad - while reaching for a handkerchief to dab away his tears - “somewhere down the road you’ll prob’ly have to find some help to raise your children, I suspect. She has - at best - two years!” Barely eight months later, Mom collapsed while hanging clothes. In less than fifteen minutes - it was over….she was dead! Thankfully all three of us were there to say goodbye, and also had a chance to hear the final words she said. “Well aware my days were numbered, I’ve been on the lookout for, more or less, a…back-up-mom’…to help Dad raise you two… And I came up with someone that I know you all adore… and she adores the three of you…..I’m talkin’ - Vinny Lou! “Both of us are praying that you’ll let her take my place… and it would mean so much to me to know that…when I’m gone… Someone who we love that much will be here…just in case. Someone who is “fam’ly”…..and can help you carry on.” Mom had used her final days in such a prudent way. Knowing there’d be times when Bonnie’d need a female’s touch - She’d lined us up with someone who was quite the proper lady… and one there was no doubt at all - we all loved very much. But, back to what I’m trying to say…the fact is Vinny Lou is who I’m giving credit to, and surely owe a debt, For making me accept the concept : science…in itself… hasn’t actually found “the source of life”……at least - not yet! She opened up my eyes and ears to such amazing things. Things I’m sure I never would have learned if not for her. She showed me time and time again how scientific theories leave the man with no imagination to infer That, as a rule, everything in life can be explained… and only speculations based on facts are safe to make. Well…after spending just a couple weeks with Vinny Lou… that’s a rule that I was really glad she helped me break! Though Dad and Mom were not religious, every time we ate, me or Bonnie’d have to say a prayer before we’d start. Aside from that I’d never thanked a “deity” for anything, before old Ms. Canasta joined the team and did her part. The first time I remember how her comments helped me see there had to be a God I must‘ve been ‘round eight or nine. Walking past a little garden, Vinny said to me, “See those lovely flowers, child… they’re neither yours nor mine… And yet we reap the benefits of how they look and smell. We even sometimes pick a few to beautify our days, But nothing made by human beings will ever take their place for making up corsages - boutonnieres - and sweet bouquets. And hear that pretty whistlin’ in the distance? That’s a Cardinal, And he was made by God, young fella…not some fool machine. And see that big old apple? Well…there ain’t a man on earth can make ya’ one o’ those…and in a choice of red or green! Well…that was quite a while back, and time has really flown. I turned twenty-three last week, and Bonnie’s pushin’ twenty, But still, today, when I confront a singing bird - or flowers, I think of all the lessons that I learned from dear Aunt Vinny. The one that means the most, by far’s, the one she softly whispered As I reached out and took my first born child from Carly May, “This is what it’s all about, young man…and I’m so very grateful to you and Roy and Bonnie for the role you let me play.” Having pointed out to us so many prime examples of why there has to be a God…well - I can tell you this - If you’re not convinced that He’s the one behind it all - You can take my word for it…I’m telling you - He is! Tuesday last we lost our Vinny Lou, and…as with Mother… All of us were by her side to share her final hours. Her last request was: when she left to be with God in heaven, We wrap her fingers tightly ‘round - a fresh bouquet of flowers.