Aunt Tilly

My grandmother, my Bami, had lots of funny references. One such example was when one of us was looking for something not in it’s usual place. She’d respond with a quip, “Same place it’s been for the last 45 years!” Another one of her lines was “Aunt Tilly’s room.” Aunt Tilly’s room was the place where good things went when you couldn’t find them. Missing that other sock? Aunt Tilly’s room. Can’t find your keys? Aunt Tilly’s room.

Funny how little phrases and sayings sneak their way into our familial language and become second nature. Aunt Tilly is now a reference I use with my own family. No one outside really knows or understands. But when Captain Lumpkins can’t find his keys, he knows what I mean when I say, “Oh Honey, they’re in Aunt Tilly’s room; same place they’ve been the last 45 years!!”

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