DAY 91: TRIBUTE TO MISS ALINE THOMPSON

In honor of the season, I looked up a few pictures from August 1, 1982, and scanned them in to share.  I was disappointed that I couldn't locate a few of this series (specifically, those that appear in the Marion County History Book), but I continue, undaunted, though a bit chagrined.

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In small town Loretto when I was growing up, there was a woman named Aline Thompson. She dressed VERY conservatively and modestly, with very long skirts and fabric covering most of her body was her usual attire.

I learned that her seriousness about modesty in dress extended to others when I was about eleven or twelve and was bike riding with one of my friends up the Spencer Hamilton Road hill near her house. She stopped us both. Road block!

I was wearing a light brown colored shirt at the time; she actually felt of me to see if I was wearing a shirt at all! Through her elderly eyes, she was very alarmed that I seemed to be topless because the fabric - I guess - was so close to the color of my skin. After she felt my garment and realized I was, indeed, covered, she was okay.

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Miss Aline did not have many visitors on Halloween night once word got out that trick-or-treating children coming to her door would be detained by her to say the rosary. The treat was a holy card or scapular. I wonder now if she ever wondered why none of her Trick-or-Treating children made repeat visits to her home.

I don't think Miss Aileen ever married or had children. Sitting here tonight thinking of her, I wish I had learned more about her young life.

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The pictures here are from a day spent with her. One of my friends had a college project to complete, and Miss Aline seemed the perfect fit for the parameters of her research. I still have my friend's notes of the conversation we had at the time. The notes are so interesting, and I am sorry I can't put my hands on those right now. When I reunite those and the Marion County History book photos, maybe I'll update this entry. But until then, here we go....

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I love this picture of Miss Aline. She came to the door and I snapped the picture. Note that her doorstep is hand painted with a white cross. Every entrance to her home had a similar treatment. She painted the crosses herself.

I have to admit that I did not expect to feel so warmly welcomed when visiting Miss Aline! She truly was pleased to have visitors and was so very hospitable toward us. She seemed to relish the opportunity to speak to her guests about her viewpoints on religion and faith. I was a bit astonished that she seemed to be very much plugged in to several movements that (in my mind) seemed a bit radical. Why I was surprised, I can't quite explain except to say that the opinion I had formed of her was more in line with a person in the midst of a lone religious experience. I learned that day that Miss Aline had lots of company and she was not the Lone Ranger sewing up scapulars all by her lonesome. (Sorry, scapulars at the old sewing machine picture is out of reach at the moment...) 

 

 Every room in Miss Aline's home was replete with religious artifacts.

In the 1960's and early 1970's, many churches were stripped of their statuary; Miss Aline made it her personal business to save as many of those items as she could. They became the decor for her home. No "Home Interior" for Miss Aline! Every single room of her home was old-time Catholic Church-like. I'd heard rumors all my life that she had an actual "Chapel" upstairs; however, I was not allowed to go there on this visit. (I did ask).  

 

 The preceding photos are from Miss Aline's living room, with the exception of the last one - of her bed room.

Below is a photo of Miss Aline at her back yard grotto. If you notice, there are marbles imbedded in her grotto. I still remember the joy she expressed when telling the story of how her young nephew, Julian Thompson, sacrificed by giving up all his marbles for her to help make her shrine more beautiful. She obviously never forgot it and loved him very much for that. I know that she relished the memory of it that day in 1982 --- years and years after Julian made the ultimate sacrifice!

Now.

Notice this last picture!

Miss Aline maintained a statue of Mary identical to the one at her home grotto at her future eternal resting place at St. Francis of Assisi Church cemetery. Next time I'm at St. Francis I'll have to walk up and see if her Mary statue is still in good repair. I'll bet it is!

 My visit with Miss Aileen is one of those days in my life that I feel I spent in a worthwhile way. 

Isn't it something how...when you think back on your life...there are certain highlights you'll just never forget? And then most of the other days are just routine? 

I wish I could make every day of my life in the future something special that will stand out in my memory... the way this day has always stayed with me. 

Comments

[Cynthia Hayden Browning]

I certainly have many memories of this Saintly Miss Aline Thompson. We lived right across the road ,My parents home Fred & Mary Alma Hayden,now occupied by one of Theresa Hawkin's son. Miss Aline was very dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary & was always very Modestly dressed & religious. Surely she has a HIGH THRONE in Heaven! Watch over us Miss Aline!!!

[Shannon O'Daniel]

Thank you so much for this. I don't think I've ever seen a picture of my great aunt Aline. What a wonderful memory. It's too bad she did not allow you to visit the upstairs chapel. It was lovely and serene. I said the rosary there many times as a child.