"Thank you all for gathering here today as we remember two loved ones who have passed." The funeral director speaks at the front of the room.
Grayson, Hanna, Ethan, my Aunt Shelly, and Uncle Steve are all sitting with me in the front row of the funeral.
Grayson is rubbing my back is slow circles as I stare at the caskets in front of me. I pay no attention to what the director is saying. I am only trapped in my thoughts.
I hear footsteps from behind me, and I turn around to see who it is. It's only a couple of family friends.
For some reason I expected to see my dad. But I should know better at this point.
"Tianna, would you like to share any words?" The director asks me, bringing me out of my dark thoughts.
I look around and see everyone staring at me, expecting me to say something. I always hated speaking in front of people.
"Sure." I hesitantly stand up.
I clear my throat.
"Well.. Kenzie sure was one happy girl." I lightly laugh.
"She always made me smile. Her happiness made me happy. Her smile could light up the entire day.. she was like the sun. She was beautiful, and bright-" My voice breaks.
"Sometimes I wonder how she got all of that light. All of that joy. It's something I've always envied about her." Tears roll down my cheeks.
"My mom... She is the strongest woman I'll ever know. There are so many things I wish I could fix and things I wish I could change. There are so many things I wish I could tell her right now. She was, is, and will always be my hero." I manage to say without completely breaking down.
I sit down and Grayson pulls me closer to him and whispers in my ear. "It's okay."
I don't even wipe the tears off my cheeks. I just let them roll down.
