Musings: Aunt

The Polish name for Aunt or Aunty is Ciocia. I have had a number of Aunts on both sides of the family and the thing that I have to say about them is that they are very strong women – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. They had to be. They lived in Poland during World War II which you can imagine was not an easy time.

I have such a profound respect for my Ciotki. They were very hard-working as many Polish people of that generation had to be out of necessity. They had it drilled into them because there were hard times on the farm and it was part of your ethic – essentially your personality – to work hard. You had to do everything yourself and be efficient and effective at it.

There wasn’t room to be slack and idle. You did what you could to help out.

I had one Aunt, Ciocia Angie, who was already married with a number of children. The story goes that she was helping a mother cow calve her baby. She was successful but came into the farm house, sat down in an arm chair, had a heart attack and died. That is how hard-working the women were. They did many things that the men would do. 

Now to talk about my Uncles or Wujki would be another story in and of themselves. They were extremely brave, hard-working and courageous. What they endured, no person should have to go through. Have I mentioned being imprisoned, being sent to work camps and being sent to a gulag in Siberia? 

Anyways, I honour my Cioci for teaching me to stand up for myself and help out where I can. It is through their example that I have learned to be hard-working in my life too in whatever I face or do. Thanks Cioci!

Mary Mikawoz
February 15, 2023

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