Life: Aunt Carmella

Growing up we spent every Columbus Day weekend enjoying rural Upstate NY.

We would fish in Swan Lake, explore the surrounding woods, and play Bingo at night by candlelight.

Our days were spent at real life cider mills where we would pet animals, pick pumpkins, and play.
We escaped boring adult conversation by climbing on bales of hay and daring each other to enter "the barn".

This may not sound like a huge deal, but it's such a change from suburban NY.

All of these fantastic memories were surrounded around one individual, our Aunt Carmella.

This woman is the definition of independence, freedom, and optimism.

She remained an independent soul, climbing the mountain she lived on until the ripe age of 101.
Her trick for living such a long, vibrant life?  She drank vinegar every day to cleanse her system!

Aunt Carmella, I wish I could be half the woman you were.  We love you.  We will deeply miss you.

Rest in peace.

Let's all say a pray for my dear Aunt Carmella.