Surrounded by My Ghosts and Angels

My Great Aunt Doris was a fabulous writer. She wrote a book titled Of Ghosts and Angels: A Memoir by Doris Cheney Whitehouse, and she was, in fact, related to the Cheneys. I remember her from when I was around five or six years old. We visited Pappy and Memaw, my mother’s parents, and gathered in the living room to hear the old folks tell their stories.

Aunt Doris was married to Memaw’s eldest brother, Forrest. Yes, Forrest and Doris. I was utterly drawn to her. She would effortlessly conjure up playful and slightly irreverent tales, and I would drape all over her with wonder and love. She could calm me down with the slightest touch and redirect my attention with her smile, movement, or words. What struck me the most was that I could feel her belief in me. She made me believe I was extra special – dare I say magical.