My husband’s mother called yesterday, her voice full of tears, her sister, Aunt Deb had passed away. Deb has been battling what we recently found out was ALS for years now. I know Aunt Deb wasn’t always my Aunt; I only got the privilege of calling her that after I met my husband. Deb and her daughter Em were the first members of M-’s family I met outside his immediate family. At the end of the day we met, she insisted I call her Aunt Deb too. Meeting her was like seeing an old friend, she instantly put me at ease, made me laugh and laughed at me. She helped make M-’s family feel like I was really a part of it…even if I wasn’t, yet.
The summer M- and I were engaged we went to Minnesota for his grandfathers wedding. We hadn’t told anyone there we were engaged because we wanted to tell Grandpa S- before anyone else. The day after we arrived we all gathered for a family Bar-B-Que. Lots of laughing, hugs and catching up happened over the afternoon. All of a sudden between the brats and brews, Aunt Deb jumped up and began pointing and doing a little dance. She had noticed my engagement ring, she went on and on, it was so cute, she was genuinely happy and excited for us. She then proceeded to embarrass me by leading me around the yard to EVERY SINGLE PERSON THERE to show them my ring, and share our news.
I will always remember Deb, not just for who she was to me,
but for the woman she was to her whole family.
She was a mother, daughter, sister, wife, aunt, godmother and friend. I am so sorry for the pain her children and
everyone who loved her must be feeling right now.
You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she's gone
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what she'd want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
---unknown
*Photo from K. Broughton*
