Wednesday, February 11, 2009

day 11: another quick card + the passing of a chi-O


Supplies: Chipboard (Maya Road); Mist (Maya Road, Red); Stamp (Studio Calico); Brad (Making Memories)

To make, cut white cardstock to 5.5x8.5" and another piece at 5x3.75". Use a corner rounder on all corners, then fold base of card. Next, adhere smaller piece to card front using pop-up dots to provide dimension. To make the chipboard couple, spray with red mist, then stamp using lace border stamp repeatedly (used Real Red ink by Stampin' Up!). Adhere and add brad.

Early this morning we got a call from Greg's dad stating that his Great Aunt Helen had passed away. We knew for quite some time that she would not be here with us much longer, so this past weekend Greg went out the the nursing home twice and took Jett and Addy to see her. Because the weather was so nice, they were able to roll her around outside and she could watch the dogs, which she enjoyed. But, just so you know, dogs are not the animal of choice for Helen.

Helen liked owls. No, actually Helen loved owls. Her house was covered with owl paintings and owl figurines. It didn't matter if it came from the dollar store or Tiffany's. If it was an owl, Helen wanted it.

Helen grew up in the mid-1900s and attended college, something most Kentucky girls didn't do back then. While in school, she joined the Chi Omega Sorority and ever since, she's been a Chi-O in the truest sense of the word. You see, owls are the symbol for Chi-O's, which explains her affinity for them.

Most people graduate college and will return for homecomings for a few years to bask in their Greek organizations every once in a while, but not Helen. She lived and breathed being a Chi-O every day. Since Bowling Green is a college town, there's always girls out and about wearing their Greek gear. If Helen ever saw a Chi-O she pranced right up to the young girl and professed her love for Chi Omega, showed off whatever owl jewelry she was wearing and away she went, leaving most girls looking a bit bewildered. She was probably the oldest Chi-O they had ever met.

So, today, Greg and I say good-bye to the best Chi-O ever, and every time we see an owl, we'll be reminded of her.

5 comments:

Kimber-Leigh said...

so sorry for your loss.

i think of chi-o's when i see owl's too!

diana albright said...

thanks for the story of Great Aunt Helen, and I am sorry for your loss. seems like a spunky lady much worth the remembrance!

cute card today :-)

liz mataraza said...

so sorry for your loss. she sounded like an amazing woman! what wonderful memories you have of her.

Christie Wildes said...

((hugs)) What a great memory to have of her!! She sounds like a great lady.
XO

Kelly Goree Photography said...

Chi-Os were one of only 4 sororities on our campus and I have a deep respect for them, esp as a sorority girl myself.

So sorry for your loss. xo,
k.