Great Aunt Alice
For Alice Lillian Carlson nee Retzlaff
January 4, 1907-October 2, 2012
By Ann’s friend Leona Alice-Mae Graham
I felt
I knew
Ann’s Aunt Alice.
Through the years
Her-stories came my way.
I wish we’d met.
But we did
In a way,
A woman after my own heart:
Indefatigable.
Independent.
Inspiring.
Through Ann’s eyes
I knew you, Alice,
Admired and aspired
To emulate you in my old age.
After all, I am an Alice too,
As was my father’s mother.
The world, our life,
Has been our wonderland,
Our looking-glass.
Alert and wise
You made Ann’s days wonderful,
All the lives you touched,
Even at a distance,
Like mine.
I hope it’s okay to call you
Great Aunt Alice
In memory of a life greatly,
Nobly, powerfully lived.