This is my final letter to heaven. Hopefully, this helps me heal, as it all still feels surreal to me. 2020 and 2021 will always be years that stick with me as so much bad has happened, and my family and I have lost so many loved ones. But, I believe in the saying there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. And I can only imagine the new year will be filled with good news and positivity.
My aunt Jude was my grandma’s younger sister. They were as close as they can be and loved to pick on their younger brother Jim. Having the three of them together was so fun as they joked about everything. A few years ago, my aunt was diagnosed with lung cancer. She was able to catch it before it spread, and she was cancer-free. However, that didn’t last long because she was then diagnosed with kidney cancer. This is where she took the biggest hit when she was able to beat kidney cancer soon after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
My aunt was a fighter. She wanted to be around as long as she could as she still had young grandchildren and another on the way. The day she passed was September 3rd, 2021. This was the same day that my little cousin Lucy was born, who would have been her fourth grandchild. My family sees it as my aunt being baby lucy’s guardian angel as baby lucy’s middle name is also my aunt’s first name, “Judith.” We see it as her way of celebrating every year she passed with Lucy.
I hold so many memories of my aunt. She was the sweetest, most kind-hearted person. She never let the bad stop her when she faced so many obstacles throughout her whole life. I aspire to be as driven as she was. She also made the best pumpkin bread in the world! My grandma, over thanksgiving break, made some for my sister and me. I know this was because she missed her sister, as, throughout my life, my grandma has made pumpkin bread for me once, as my aunt was the pumpkin bread queen of the family.
Now, as we near the end of 2021 and prepare for the new year, I wholeheartedly believe it will be the best year we’ve had in a long time. I have taken my time to heal from the constant heartache these past two years have brought and will continue to cherish my time with everyone in my life. Life is something to cherish that I admit I have taken advantage of it quite a bit in my life. Remember to love the life you live and live the life you love!