bottled Judy for Christmas, please

It felt like early Christmas today.  I looked at my blog & discovered comments from my Aunt Judy.  Those of you who have met her remember her still.  Guaranteed.  Judy Naegle is not the type of person one forgets.  I don’t imagine that she’s ever walked into a room - store, restaurant, whatever - and not been instantly noticed.  She makes people laugh…to the point of crying.  She makes people cry…to the point of laughing (oh yes, there’s limitless magic in that).  More importantly, she makes people want to Live Big. 

We shared a basement office teaching at Heritage Academy – “the basement bitches”.  Paragraphs & pages wouldn’t begin to relate what she did for me during those years.  And I was one of hundreds.  Many times I walked in on her comforting a someone in tears.  Countless times I heard students say, “Why can’t you do that (there were many that’s for many occasions) more like Mrs. Naegle?”  Always, I was inspired watching her Inspire. 

Well, Mrs. Naegle moved on from Heritage, and I stayed.  She didn’t get to see all the faces that came back in search of her (& solace) in the basement.  But come they did.  They marched in with expectation, gratitude, love.  They remembered books, quotes, poems that had changed them in their deepest places – all given for that purpose by a brilliant & knowing woman.

I have no innate charisma…people have never flocked to me…I often prefer invisibility.  But, thinking about Aunt Judy makes me want to act Big, draw others to me, so I can give More, inspire More, teach tears to laugh. 

I’d like to send her a chemistry lab for Christmas…lock her in for a couple days, hoping she comes out with a rare concoction – her own special brew of personal charisma.  I’d buy a box of bottles for me&mine, then many more to share all around.  The world would be a better place by far.  

Comments

[Kelly]

I totally remember your Aunt Judy! But, I must disagree -- you do have your own charisma (maybe a hen kind) because I have flocked to you for 20 years now. :)

[Ras]

I remember going to Aunt Judy's at Christmastime when they lived over in Central Stake.

Kel, has it really been 20 years??? Yep. I guess we were 12 in 7th grade. Dang. We're getting old. (Sigh)

[Mandy]

Great blog! She sounds like a wonderful person to have in your life.

[Annalisa]

I love people with infectious charisma. I love fun people that have no hesitations and when I try to emulate their caution to the wind attitude, I myself feel to loud and obnoxious. Why is that?

I love my grandma because she'll let you know if you've wronged her and bring up sensitive issues with no tact. She quilted us a blanket and stitched on the back: may you conceive in love and warmth. It amuses me to no end.
A few years ago she started drinking coffee for health reasons and I just found out yesterday she was drunk on vodka (no doubt some health benefit) to the point that my aunt had to help her walk straight. She had no qualms about telling my sister as much. My drunk Mormon grandma.
Relative can inspire us and amuse us. I'd take either one gladly.

I'm so glad I get to be an imaginary friend. I always wanted to be an alternate universe to the face in the mirror. I guess this is just as fun :).

[Anna]

I love your blog. Such witty, fun posts. Can you and Kelly write for me?!? Anyway, my lil' sister went to Heritage Academy...she traded in MVT for Heritage...traitor! Small world. She graduated 1999, I think. Maybe you knew her? Her blog is mycandybasket.blogspot.com. Check her out and see if you recognize her from when you taught there.

[Judy Naegle]

What a beautiful gift you have given me with your kind words, my Amy Girl. I was reading it to Uncle Roy, but he had to finish reading it to me when the the tears began to slip down my cheeks and my throat constricted. I marvel at your creative gift of expression. I would give you an A+ for sure... We did have some special times, didn't we; they simply are forever memories, celestial moments frozen in time and memory.

I'm curious to know Anna's sister's name. If she graduated in l999, then I probably know her; possibly I had her in one of my classes. I checked out her blog, but didn't recognize her picture and couldn't find any information about her personally at all. Cute little family. I have to smile at the mishaps of motherhood she describes....we all live/lived through it. They are the precious moments, even the throw up and "blowouts," the very "stuff" of life and memories. Every moment of life is significant...it's all poetry.. Proceed in Peace and Confidence, in Light, Love, and above all, Gratitude...

[Anna]

My sister's name is Adrianne (Fitch) Mortensen. I believe she graduated in 1999. She was valedictorian and super involved at school...so I am sure that you know her. She's a cute fun girl.

[Amy]

Dang, I'm trying to stretch my brain (somewhat difficult as I'm just getting over an insanely violent 24-hour flu). I started teaching there the second semester of that 98-99 year. I'll have to check out a yearbook. Too funny! I was definitely in my own little world for that first semester, so who knows what I did or didn't notice.

Ras & Kel - 20 years is a crazy thought! I guess we're officially family at that point - if you can stick together that long out of choice. I love you both!

[Judy Naegle]

Oh, indeed I remember Adrianne. Please tell her Mrs. Naegle says, "Hello."