Looking Westward

The great adventure is just 2 months away. I will leave Virginia and head west to a new beginning. I am excited yet scared, happy yet sad. A lot of mixed emotions going on. It is only natural. I am curious about the future but I am clinging to the past. I worry about some friends and family.

I doubt that I will ever see my Aunt Pat after I leave. It seems strange. She was the reason I came here in the first place. When I decided to leave home, I wanted to go someplace where I had a relative that I could turn to if I needed help. There was no doubt who the first choice would be: Priscilla Ann Totman McCandlish.

Pat was always the most fun to be around. Besides, she had a daughter who was almost my age. Margaret and I had always gotten along. It was with Pat and Margaret that Mom and I had crossed the USA back in 1960. What a hoot that was.

When I came down in 1970, I stayed with Pat for a month while looking for job(not very hard I must say). Pat decided I need a nudge so she took me into the YWCA. Believe me, it only took one night in that place to make me get out and find some other

lodging. Hartnett Hall wasn't much better so by the end of the first week actually on my own, I had an apartment and a job.

Pat always kept in touch and we often did some events together like museuming and storytelling. We even took a trip together with my Mom to Japan. She also paid for my trip with Mom to London. When I would come out to her home, we would often go out in the canoe and explore the lake. She was always interested in what I did and I am grateful for all her encouragement and love. I am ashamed to say I have not been as good a niece to her as she was an aunt to me. I have not visited her as I should have. I have no excuse. I just don't do it. I will make an effort to correct that before I leave this area. She deserves better and I do love her. I am glad I have had her in my life.