My Aunt Mary

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If you’re my Facebook friend, you know all about my Aunt Mary.  She means soooo so so so much to me.  I absolutely LOVE her life.  

She became ill with pneumonia last month, and although I was told that she would recover, somehow I knew that she wouldn’t, so I made it my business to go and see her.  When I got there, I talked to her and she squeezed my hand.  I told her things about how life was and where she was going and how beautiful everything would be… and by the time I got ready to leave, it was like she was already gone.  That was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.  With my grandma, it wasn’t as bad because she was fully alert and talking and eating the last time I saw her.

Aunt Mary got better… but I didn’t go back and see her because I didn’t want to say goodbye again.  As a matter of fact, I told one of my friends that I thought she was going to die on my grandma’s birthday… and she did.  My Aunt Mary.

I remember when my grandma died and I had to wait at the military cemetery for her body to arrive.  I called my Aunt Mary and she talked to me the entire time I waited.  After that, I called her once or twice every week just so that I could hear stories about my grandma.  I LOVED going to see her because she reminded me of my grandma.  Same voice, same facial expressions, same everything.  We became so much closer over these last few years, and she really helped me through my grieving process.  

Now that she’s gone, I can’t really say that I’m overly sad.  She is totally fine now.  I mean, I was sad when I got the news.  It was so strange: I was in bed all day and I just couldn’t get it together.  When I got up and started writing in my journal, I got the text and it all made sense.  My Aunt Mary.

Listen.  Don’t throw your elderly loved ones away.  Don’t throw the elders in your community or tribe away.  Love them.  Nurture them.  Protect them.  And when the time comes for them to transition, help them.  Help them to understand that it’s okay.  Tell them not to be afraid.  Don’t make them feel guilty for leaving.  Remember that although it may not feel like it at the time, to die is gain.  It really is.

Have an amazing day today.  Show love to yourself AND others.  Be GREAT!  I speak life to you and everyone and everything connected to you!  Catch me tomorrow!

XOXO,

Na’Kole ♥