Just recently our family lost a very dear person, my great aunt Edith. Throughout my life, she has served as the matriarch of my dad's side of the family. She was like a mother to my dad and a grandmother to me. She was very close to my family and she will be sorely missed.
I had the fortune of visiting her for the last time in the beginning of September 2007. When I stepped through the door, she was lying on her side watching television. When her eyes met mine, a huge smile appeared on her face. She gathered strength to stand and gave me a warm hug and a kindly word. The time spent there was in reflection of the 35 years of my visits to her house. It was in reflection of all the celebrations of Christmas (with gifts piled so high in the room that you could barely walk) and Sunday visits with enough food to feed the entire town. There was always the presence of friends and family in her house. I don't ever remember her front door ever being closed...much less locked. It was a warm, inviting and familiar sanctuary of peace and love.
I remember her mother (my great grandmother) passing when I was young . I attended the wake as a scared 6 year old who couldn't comprehend the meaning of death. It's strange that almost 30 years later, I came back to the same house to mourn the loss of the lady that gave so much.
The memorial service at her church was lovely and fitting. The graveside service was consoling and cathartic. I am honored to have taken part in the releasing of her soul to the heavens.
She will always be remembered for her constant smile and warm nature no matter how much physical pain was experiencing.
Rest in peace.