They say our parents give us life and our grandparents give us a sense of who we are and where we came from. This week, as I said goodbye to you, it hit me how incredibly lucky I have been to have had you with me for 36 years. Not only with me, but as an integral part of my life. My relationship with you was not only exceptional but it was essential to me becoming exactly who I am, today. Up until the last couple of years, youve had more energy and interest in life than anyone I’ve ever known. We've always joked as a family that you would out live us all”. You were our matriarch, you were our regal leader in our family. You raised five children and at over 50 took on the responsibility of raising Nelle and I without hesitation. You were always present and a part of our everyday lives in such a tangible way. That constant loving presence really shapes a person. Mema you are regal and elegant, strong, reliable, loving, funny, resilient, and most importantly selfless. You loved deeply and fully, all of us. You were the kind of person who had more love in your heart for the more people who joined our lives. Even after being jn engaged in March of this year you opened your heart to my fiancé as if he’d always been a part of this family.
She is so much a part of who I am that even though I knew she would one day leave us, I can’t quite believe she is gone. I want us all to ask ourselves this one thing as we all say our goodbyes this evening and begin this new chapter, what is life without family to support you, to love you unconditionally, to be at your side through good and through bad? Life is not meant to be traveled alone. I pray that this family continues on the path of healing, restoration and togetherness. Mema would want us to.
To Corduroy—you impacted my life in so many ways. You shaped who I am. You shaped who my children will be. You influenced every one of us so greatly. I will always love you and save a special corner of my heart to keep you with me at all times.
Love,
Your Sweet Pretty