Esther Oetter

Despite my habit of smacking my lips,
I had everything I needed.
Never did feel that I had to have a man in the house,
So I became what they called an old maid.
My family always seemed intent on helping me,
But God knows that I would never let 'em know that I wasn't able.
And for God Almighty did I stand up for my faith and congregation of St. Ann's, a small Catholic church in our small town of Joliet.
I also resided in that small town, owning my own house on 141 North May.
Lived there for the most part of my adult life.
Naturally, I was the independent working girl, supporting myself for close to forty years.
I never did know what it was to drive, but the Lord knows that I knew the bus driver by name.
Even though I worked, I still had my fun.
In spare time, I would knit.
I did knit a lime green blanket once.
My granddaughter has it now.
She was my other hobby.
Since her crazy kid parents lived next door, I often baby-sat for them.
Amber was a joy to my heart.
She was most content by sliced strawberries with a tad-bit of sugar.
When I got time on the weekends though, my greatest hobby and project was the garden.
Damn rabbits! Never could keep 'em out of my carrot patches.
Life was good for me till I suffered that dang massive heart attack.
That just killed the family.
Damn near killed me just to see 'em all crying and such...
Yep, my life was a blessed one.

Amber Alling