February 19 was the birthday of my favorite aunt, Helen Elizabeth McInnes Moore.   It is also the birthdate of my cousin Bill McInnes.  (something I didn’t know until last year)    Helen was one of those very special ladies that  made an indelible impression on all that knew her.  A favorite story….Helen lived in a three bedroom apartment  above a store on 6^th Avenue overlooking the train station with  her Dad and his new wife, also named Helen (they became known as Big Helen and Little Helen).  You could look out the windows and watch the trains stop and pick up passengers.   One morning, Little Helen left for work, boarded the train and sat by a window.  She lit up a cigarette (no one knew that she smoked) and began to read the newspaper.  As she puffed on it, the train backed up and Grandpap and Big Helen could see her!  When she came home they told what they saw and all had a good laugh! 

Every year on my birthday, she would take me to a movie and then over to New Kensington to Milano’s for Italian food.  Now on my birthday I either go out or stay at home and make spaghetti and watch an old movie in her honor….she became very  ill a couple of years ago and had to be placed in a rest home.  When I was home, I visited her with her devoted husband, Joe Moore who was truly one of the good guys.  He went to see her every day.   When I went into her room she seemed very remote and  I hugged her and said…Next to my mother, you are the most important woman in my life…she looked up and gave me the biggest smile!!

 I am so blessed to have had the family and to have these warm memories!!