Memories my aunt left behind

A Best Friend

Once you have a sister, you have a friend for life.

My Aunt and Grand mother had an inseparable bond. No matter what came between them, they never allowed for it to break apart their love for one another. My Aunt and grandmother loss their parents at a young age and had to watch each other's back ever since. Both ladies adored each other's company. My aunt never missed a day of being by her sister's side. After she fell ill she still made it her duty to visit her sister until she became too ill and couldn't do it anymore.

A sister love is so strong that no matter what they go through, if the other needs a helping hand they're there to the rescue. A sister love is so strong that no one could ever get between 2 sisters.

Burying your baby sister, let alone your best friend was the hardest thing my Grand mother ever had to do. There was great pain in her eyes when she witnessed her sister take her last breath. To see her sister lifeless body lying there in a hospital bed was way too much to sink in. I couldn't imagine having to do any of the sort; but just like my Grand mother, I too had to bury my best friend and watched her lifeless body grew cold. My Grand Aunt was not just an Aunt to me. She was a mom, a best friend, a supporter and a motivator. I knew when ever I needed help with anything to call on 'Annie'. She was truly full of life and that's why I knew later down that it was more than just a simple flu. I've been around my Grand Aunt all my life and never had she ever been so depressed in life as if she couldn't go on any further. Cancer took over and left a zombie. She was a hero to me even though she didn't win the battle with cancer. I wish she was still here to witness the twins being born, to witness Kayla start her first day of kindergarten to witness Tweety start her first day at the bank she always dream of being at. I miss her so much that its hard to write this book; its hard to talk about memories knowing she'll never walk through another door or witness anything ever again. I've never been so broken in my whole entire life . There are some days that I smile but truth is I try to keep the thoughts of her not being here anymore in the back of my head.

My Aunt was a family person. In fact every family gathering that we ever had was hosted by her. She was one of a kind. Her heart was so big that she had enough love to give out to an entire community. Gosh I miss her laugh. Her laugh was so amusing that you couldn't help but laugh yourself. I keep reminiscing on the last time we hugged . She held me close, hugged me tight and never wanted to let me go. At that moment I knew I was about to lose my gem but I stayed strong for the sake of her. Who would I have been if I broke down in front of her showing her how weak inside I was.

Seeing my Grand mother sad broke my heart. My Grand mother managed to keep a smile on her face after losing her best friend. How ? Seeing her stand strong, I knew I had to do the same but I didn't. That morning of the funeral I told my Grandmother that I would stay strong but I lied, I didn't. I broke down into a million pieces and just couldn't hold my self up. Luckily I had 2 most amazing friends who stood by my side through it all. I couldn't have asked for better friends. They wiped my tears, they held me up and more importantly they never allowed for me to feel down. My Aunt loved my friends like they were her own Grand nieces. I could never forget the way she would pronounce my best friend's name as Jenel instead of Jaynell. She would come home and say " I saw Jenel today" or " tell Jenel she forsake me, she don't check for me no more" . Jaynell will miss your dumpling soup Auntie. Every time you cook it you would never forget to take up hers.

How could someone with such a huge heart be taken away so quickly . You were only 55 years old, you weren't old at all. You never showed a sign of being old. If I had one wish, it would be that I could sit a while with her, hold her hand and just appreciate her presence. She was indeed a one of a kind and I promise you there will not be another like her.

My Grand mother is so strong to have dealt with that situation. I've never met someone as strong as her yet. In most ways she reminds me of my Grand Aunt and truth be told I don't know how i'd go on if I were to ever lose my Grand mother. My Grandmother is now the rock of the family and handles it so well.

On January 27th,2017, less than 5 months of burying her baby sister she was tormented yet once again and had to bury her third child. How she did it? I had no clue. I must say she never once allowed for anyone to see the hurt in her heart. She stood tall, wiped her tears and did what she had to do. That is what you call a strong black woman!