The Making of a Legacy

I am learning that losing a loved one is inevitable. Not to say that I am getting used to it, but I am coming to a greater understanding of it. It truly doesn't matter which loved one it is, losing them is a hard pill to swallow. In many ways, at least for me, it changes you. It changes how you see things, think about things and go about your daily life.

I was none too prepared for the text I received within the hour of waking on June 18th. My godmother had passed away. My god-sister on the other end of the line was nearly inconsolable My heart broke for her and for me. Momma, was ninety-seven years old. She passed away very peacefully and for that I can be grateful.

You are never prepared to lose someone you love. For me, it was the same as losing a parent. Although both my biological parents have been long gone from this earth, Momma was my remaining parent. I walked into her life when I was nine years old. She treated me as one of her own. When summers came around, I didn't attend summer school or summer camp. I literally spent entire summers at Momma's house. My mom helped me pack a suitcase and that very first Sunday after the last day of school, mom and I went to church as usual. When service ended, we transferred my suitcase from my mom's car to Momma's car. I would see my mom and siblings throughout the summer on Sundays at church.

My god-sister and I spent the summer laughing, running through the neighborhood and helping Momma shop. I even traveled with my god-sister and Momma to Momma's hometown of Arkansas for nearly a month. After my son was born, Momma would not allow me put him in daycare. She had retired by then and insisted on taking care of him while I worked. He learned to walk in her house. Probably spoke his first words there as well.

Every memory I have of her is a good one. She was truly a kind and gentle soul, helping any one and every one who was in need. Whenever she talked to us, no matter what we had done or not done, her voice was even, never raised above her normal speaking voice. She was truly amazing and my life is blessed because of her.

The day before Momma's service, my god-sister, our good friend and I were able to spend a quiet moment with her. Just the four of us. I made peace with her passing. I knew she would always be with me. She had poured her life into me and taught me so many things. She poured her life into my son and that in itself is a blessing. On the day of her funeral, as I spoke, I realized that even though her body

was laying in a casket beside me, she would live on forever. She would live on in my god-sister, in me, in my son, in my nieces and nephew. She was going to live on in all the lives she touched. That small understanding made the world of difference.

Rest easy, Momma...