Kathryn Saunders Stinson

Kathryn Saunders Stinson, better known as Kitt. My mother was 8 years old when her sister was born into a family with many problems. Kitt was raised by my mom because her parents were fighting many personal battles. A battle that later in life both my mother and my aunt would fight themselves. I remember both of them telling me stories of the things that they witnessed. It is amazing that either one of them could smile after what they had gone through.

There are so many memories I have of my Aunt Kitt that make me smile. I looked forward to going up to visit in Nashville because it was a house filled with LOVE. We would gather in Mexico Beach and it would become a house filled with the same love. I also remember the laughter.

My aunt was a person who would care about others before herself. She would actually take on others peoples pain as her own. She lived in her own private blackness but would make sure the people around her were surrounded with love, joy, fun, and laughter. My kids loved this woman and asked me every time they had a break from school if we could go visit Aunt Kitt. I am so glad they got a chance to know her.

My mother and my aunt are back together again. I like to think that when my aunt succumbed to her darkness, the light that shined on her was God's and my mothers. I can see her grabbing both their hands and being led to where she is happy and filled with joy. The blackness in her life and heart no more. She and mom are now able to be truly happy and eat oysters whenever they like and they can both truly enjoy the sounds of the ocean.