Sending out cheers for Auntie isn’t exactly cause for celebration… She fought a hard battle with lung cancer, ultimately losing the war, but in my opinion, winning in the end. I have decided Auntie is without a doubt my “Angel of Sunshine.”
I miss her. We all do. Especially her “devoted-for-all-time” husband… It is painful to see and feel his crumpled spirit, leaving me feeling awfully helpless. Yet, like Auntie, Uncle has a fighting energy as well. Resilience has carried them both through a long life together. I have faith he will move forward and carry on with the legacy that this special couple has modeled for so many. If only we could follow in their footsteps with such grace and class… Certainly a goal worth pursuing…
There is so much to say about Auntie’s beautiful life — all that she meant to me as well as countless others — family, friends, and acquaintances. But in this moment I am numb, mostly just feeling the empty place deep within that she once held. Great sadness…
On the long flight home after a funeral fit for a queen, feeling the comfort of a cousin seated only rows behind me on the flight we independently booked as our return, there was a sense of peace in the view of mountains below, the bright blue sky, and the sun slowly setting to the west. I wondered where Auntie was, and imagined that big smile as she adjusted her new wings in a golden mirror surrounded by countless admirers. If you believe in angels, Auntie definitely made the list.
Darkness came. The sky was clear, with only an occasional plane traveling far off in the distance. But then I noticed a very bright, lone, star in the southern sky. It was big. Strong. Bold. Brilliant. Perhaps it was a planet. I do not claim to know much about astronomy. The star stayed for the entire journey, and I felt a smile cross my face wondering if it wasn’t just Auntie watching out for me and my cousin as we headed home. Just a silly thought, but maybe not.
Two days later I was traveling home from an afternoon of dance lessons, with the sky again clear and the sun setting to the west. I wondered about Auntie and Uncle and their family, hoping that they were all well, knowing that this was such a hard time for our entire family.
Adjusting the music in my car I continued along until it struck me that the very same large brilliant star/planet was once again looking out for me as I traveled home that evening! I could only laugh and thank my aunt for taking the time to let me know she was safe, and as always, concerned about my well-being. For all time this special woman remains completely unselfish… She is definitely a star!
I wish Auntie an eternity of comfort, joy, and happiness. She deserves it…
