Aunt Mary, to me, was the wife of my grandfathers (John Minton Bruce) brother Gerald Bruce (Uncle Bud).
We would get together at my grandparents house in Hamburg every Thanksgiving, Christmas & Easter.
As a child at Christmas we would always hope for toys and games, but her special gift to my siblings and I was always a book.
She knew the importance of a life-long habit of reading.
The book was always signed on the inside front page 'Merry Christmas from Uncle Bud & Aunt Mary.
I hope she is happy knowing to this day I still have several of those books in my home library.
When I started a stamp collecting hobby as a young teenager my grandfather must have mentioned to her, as I started receiving weekly an Erie County Savings envelope from her full of stamps from the US and all over the world. Inside was stationary 'From the Desk Of Mary L. Bruce' saying 'Hope you Enjoy - Love Aunt Mary'.
She had taken time to cut them from letters received at the bank.
I used to look out the window for the mail and hoping it would be the day for another Erie County Savings envelope.
I still tinker with my stamp collection and I am sure it contains many of the stamps she sent me.
During college my father moved to California for a better job and we ultimately drifted apart.
Last I heard from her was Dec 2011 when my mother passed and she was kind enough to send me a beautiful card.
Wish I would have taken time to reach out once more.
I am 61 now and always remember those by-gone holiday gatherings.
The sights, smells & sounds are longed for and with me always.
Joyous knowing someday we shall all be together at the family table again !
