Five years ago, my 2nd blog post was about thoughts on death. My grandmother had died a few weeks prior to writing it and I found myself in a melancholy mood as I thought about some of the people I had lost in my life. I didn’t get to say goodbye to any of them. They were all sudden and unexpected, as I guess most deaths are, but today’s loss was not. I knew it was coming. My mom and I have been talking about it for a few weeks, and I encouraged her to say what she needed to say to her sister before she passed on because she didn’t get that chance when she lost her mom. Thankfully, she was able to spend some sweet time with my aunt last weekend before Aunt Sharon took a turn for the worse and was hospitalized.
It’s been an agonizing week for my aunt and her family as well as my extended family. She’s been in poor health the past few years enduring two kidney transplants, a heart attack,Ā and surviving breast cancer. This on top of a debilitating disease I can’t pronounce, being deaf without her hearing aides, and suffering from a myriad of illnesses. She was a fighter, but the latest cancer – this time in her liver and spreading – got the best of her. She came down with pneumonia a little over a week ago, and spiraled downhill from there. Within a few days, she wasn’t making any sense when she talked, or recognizing her husband and children. Family members started hanging out at the hospital around the clock so she wouldn’t be alone unless she was sleeping, then tonight we all had to say goodbye. Surrounded by people who loved her, she went to be with Jesus.
I won’t be there to grieve with the family or attend the funeral, so I wanted to write a tribute to her here and share a few memories. This picture was taken by my photographer cousin Lisa, who shared a special bond (and one of her kidneys) with Aunt Sharon. I don’t know when it was taken, and I didn’t get permission to post it here, so please forgive me Lisa! I didn’t have any recent pictures of her.
When I was very small, Aunt Sharon used to babysit me and my brothers so my mom could go to work. It was REALLY early in the morning when we would arrive and she’d put cartoons on for us, cover us with blankets, and give us cereal. I always felt welcome at her house.
I took an art class one summer during elementary school. One day I arrived at school only to open the door and catch it over my sandals, ripping the nail up from my big toe. Instead of going inside to get help, I left a bloody trail as I ran/walked/hopped all the way to Aunt Sharon’s house a few blocks away so she could take care of me. I knew she could make it all better, and she did.
When I was an awkward teenager, she’d run her fingers through my curly hair (I called it frizzy), and tell me I was beautiful and that she loved me. She was always praising me and telling me how talented I was.
No one could top Aunt Sharon’s apple pie. Forget the 9″ round pan. The woman used a 1/2 sheet cake pan, made her own crust and filling, baked and frosted it, and served it in huge slices. The very last time I saw her, I enjoyed a big apple pie slice!
When I remember Aunt Sharon, I’ll think of the memories I’ve already shared here, the Mt. Dew she drank when I was a kid, the hundreds of pieces of Elvis memorabilia she had, her sense of humor and the way she’d lightly slap my arm at the punch line as she let me in on whatever joke she was telling, and the video I have of her doing her best to rip through a deck of cards, something my brother Lennie and I taught her a few years ago. š
She was good to me and I will miss her! She leaves behind a husband, daughter, son, daughter-in-law, grandson, and a huge extended family. Please pray for them all as they too say goodbye.
In loving memory, I end this post with my favorite song by her favorite artist. I don’t know if she had a favorite song by Elvis, but I can’t think of either of them without thinking of the other one too. For you Aunt Sharon…
What a sweet tribute to a sweet lady! I am glad you had her in your life Niki. I know you will miss her terribly.
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Thank you for the nice tribute to my sister and thank you for the memories. I am thankful to have had her in my life for 54 years. Just a week before she died she was telling me how bad she looked with no hair. I told her she was beautiful. I got to tell her “Thank You” for all she has done for me and my family. I had the opportunity to remind her of even the little things she has done for others. I was missing her before she left us, but I know she is not suffering anymore.
You are beautiful and I love you. I am glad God put you in my life.
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I love you too mom. š
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What a very special tribute. I don’t know your mom and didn’t know you aunt, but I am sure that they helped to make you the person that you are. I am glad that God put them both into your life and you into mine. Thank you for being my friend and the wonderful Christian lady that you are. I love you my special friend.
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Very nice tribute. Sharon was a wonderful lady. She would sit in the pew in front of us always giving my sons some gum. She’d always look at me, smile, and wink before turning back around. A few times I’d see her in Walmart even when she was not suppose to be out (germs). She’d smile and tell me she just had to get out, needed to get a few things. I am so glad she is no longer having to fight and in pain. She definitely will be missed!
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Praying for your entire family as you grieve the passing of your loved one. I’m so sorry for your loss. She sounds like a wonderful aunt who left a beautiful, lasting impression.
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Didn’t know universe encompasses such a big world till I read your post. There is just so many things I don’t know and would like to comprehend .
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