Aunt Ina Mae

Oh, yes.., I remember my Aunt Ina Mae. I was born just about the time this picture was taken… back in 1947. My dad told my brother and sister and I she was our “Aunt Ina Mae”…. But most other folks knew her as Count. I guess he used to call his sister Ina Mae back on the farm when they were kids.

Some of the things I remember best about my Aunt Ina Mae include:

· She had a cherry tree in her backyard. And she made this delicious cherry pie. She came to know that I loved that cherry pie. When we would come down from Michigan for a visit, she always fixed me up with some cherry pie. It will always be the best I have ever tasted.

· The Nickel Plate Road ran right by Count and Shorty’s house. When I was a kid, I loved watching the steam engines chug by. I didn’t like the outdoor loo that much, though.

· Aunt Ina Mae and Aunt Anna always sent us kids a Christmas Package…. And she never forgot to send me a birthday card. I think she sent them to all of us.

· She introduced me to my Rapp family genealogy. She had lots of old pictures…. And never tired of telling me who was in them. Later, she hooked me up with my cousin Jim…. After which I traveled to Wittenberg, PA to find the house and grave of my great-great-great grandfather George.

· Of greatest distinction, she showed her kind heart by caring for her dying sister Anna for the final months of her life.

Thank you for everything Aunt Ina Mae. I loved you. Larry Rapp