I called her to wish her a happy birthday yesterday, shortly after leaving a memorial service for a friend’s sister, and I told her that I don’t want to sing her praises at her funeral, but now when she’s around to hear it, and I got special permission to write this post about her today.
Kelly,
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach…”
What can you say to someone who has been your sister/mother, encourager, friend, confidant, counselor and so much more? As I think about everything you have done and been for me, my eyes are filled with tears. I loved spending weekends with you as a little girl because you would always make me special lunches to go to school with on Mondays and still give me lunch money! I’ll never forget that Saturday you took me to St. Michael’s to buy my first bra. I’ll always cherish the times you took your vacation to come and be with me after my C-sections and we still use the jug you bought to fill with water for me to keep in my bedroom, so that I didn’t have to go far if I got thirsty. Every conversation, every interaction with you has been sacred and they’ve formed such a big part of who I am.
Looking back to a period where I had very, very low self-esteem, you were the one who got me holding my head high again. I needed your encouragement so badly then. I’ll never forget our summer in London and our adventure day to the Olympics where we used my iPhone to direct us by foot, bus and train, spending time and enjoying the food at the Bahamian Embassy there.
Our days together in New York will never be forgotten either, especially our favorite Chinese food! Oh, and I can’t forget about how you’ve inspired me to be the best mother! Like I told you yesterday, I’m following in your footsteps and I’m super proud of your sons, Taurel and Justin. You’re my hero!
And you’ve inspired the toughness in me! With a husband who can be a bully at times you’ve taught me to choose my battles and I do! I called you one night when someone was giving me a hard time and you said, “CALL THE POLICE!” which was the perfect advice! And you always have the perfect advice, my wise sister! Thank you for all the times you’ve been there for me to help me through work, parenting and so many other challenges that have come my way. I can’t forget to mention, after hearing you go on and on and on about your natural hair last summer, the girls (my daughters) and I got on board with you and WE LOVE OUR NATURAL HAIR! It has created a special bond between us with Sundays becoming our official hair conditioning day!
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach…”
God, I’m exceedingly grateful for my big sister, Kelly!
WE ROLL WITH GOD