Cindy Our Aunt (by Lindsey Sydor Gendron and Emma Sydor)

(Note: Lindsey and Emma of two of Cindy’s 22 cherished nieces and nephews on both sides of our family – Trevisan’s and Alfonso’s. )

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[Lindsey:]

Good afternoon,

For those of you who don’t know us, my name is Lindsey and this is my sister Emma and we are two of Cindy’s many nieces and nephews. We are honored to be up here today to share with you what a blessing it was to have Aunt Cindy in our lives. Emma and I were lucky enough to not only have her as our Aunt, but as our babysitter during our childhood. From the time we were born, Aunt Cindy took care of us two days a week while our mom was at work. Once we were in school, she continued to watch us during school breaks and summers. Our childhood memories are filled with the quality time spent at Aunt Cindy’s house with her and our cousins, Adam and Laura.

In the beginning, when we were young, our days consisted of multiple readings of “We’re going on a bear hunt”, singing “Rise and Shine” together, and begging for an Aunt Cindy underdog on the swings. As we got older, these days with Aunt Cindy shifted to days spent at The Glen swim club, VBS at Grace Chapel, and making up games and dances, always ending the summer each year with a “Special Fun Day” which involved an outing of our choosing – a choice we did not take lightly. The bond we created during those years is something we will forever cherish, and there will always be a special place in our hearts for our “Summer Mama”.

[Emma:]

Anyone who knew Cindy knew that she thrived when she spent time with children. She surrounded herself with kids both professionally, in her work with Farmington Public Schools, and personally - any child who got to spend time with her was incredibly lucky….but us nieces and nephews? We hit the jackpot. Growing up with an aunt like Cindy made us the luckiest kids around. Not only was she loving and nurturing, but she had the ability to make everything fun. Our cousin Sarah said it best in a tribute post earlier this week saying Cindy could create moments – and she truly could. Whether it was creating a game for us, helping us break in our new toys at Christmas, reading a story (or six), or sneaking us an extra treat off the dessert table – she could make whatever time we spent with her special.

Although many of the moments she created happened organically – our family was reminded this week of how much care, effort and love she put into her games and activities for the “littles” in our family. At our Christmas Eve celebration this past year, Cindy gifted the families with small children with the book “When Lightning Comes in a Jar” by Michigan author Patricia Polacco. 

[Lindsey:]

Cindy excitedly found each family with young ones individually, myself included,  to present us with this special gift. Each book included an inscription from her that we would like to share with you today. She hand addressed each book and then wrote the following:

“Our family reunion is coming up this summer. This story is about the family reunions of the author, Patricia Polacco. It talks about the importance of traditions that tell the story of your family. What makes this story even more fun, is it takes place in Michigan! Looking forward to our reunion in July, and sharing stories with you from this family of ours. Let’s make our own jars of lightning this summer! Love and blessings, Great Aunt Cindy”

The evening following Cindy’s passing, I pulled this book out to read with my son at bedtime.  It was soon shared through a series of family group messages, that others were doing the same thing. As we were all sending photos of the inscription and cherishing this gift from Cindy, our Uncle Glenn shared with us that Cindy had already been collecting jars to catch lightning with the kids this summer at our family reunion. Well, it certainly goes without saying that we will all be catching lightning in her honor this coming July.

[Emma:]

Our loss of Cindy will forever leave a hole in our hearts, but we thank God for the time we had her and the memories she left us with. Now as I am the caregiver for my own niece and nephew two days a week while Lindsey works, I hope that I can fill their lives with the same laughter, love, faith, and fun that she gave to us during those cherished days spent at her house. Although she didn’t know it at the time, she was leading me by example and I truly hope to be the aunt to them that she was to us.

We love you, Aunt Cindy. Thank you.