A year ago today one of my favorite people passed away. My Aunt Mary traveled all over the world. She loved an adventure. She loved to throw parties. She loved to tell stories. She was generous. She was funny. She was feisty and independent. She was totally herself and unapologetic for being who she was. My grandmother died suddenly when I was 2. After that, her sister (Mary) stepped into that role, while at the same time telling endless stories about my grandmother, so my sisters and I could know her, (even though none of us could remember her and my youngest sister never met her).
I've missed her so much in the past year, especially the past few months. She never once judged me for any decisions I made or for anything I wanted to do with my life. (No judgement is pretty impressive, when you think that I am a poet who wanted to open a green general store.) The older I get, the more I realize how rare and amazing that support was. At her funeral, I remember walking in the funeral home and becoming totally overwhelmed with emotion, and seeing so many other people I had never met devastated as well. All of a sudden I realized I was standing in a room of people who had all just lost their #1 fan. What a gift her life and friendship was. If there is anyone up there watching out for me, it's her & I am sure grateful.
