Last July, my aunt was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and it was terminal. My mom relayed all of this devestating information to my sisters and I and we prepared ourselves to lose this amazing lady. My Aunt Margaret was a Dominican Sister. She was a teacher. She thrived on learning as much as she possibly could and sharing that with others. She was Principal of Sacred Heart Griffin in Springfield for 20 years. The amount of lives she impacted can't be counted. She was kind, patient, caring, strong, and thoughtful. Everything she said was important, she put time, care and thought into all things. She was intentional, enjoyed every moment, and truly lived her live on earth as we all should, striving for heaven. When she got her diagnosis, she wasn't upset. She was excited to go home, to heaven. She advised all of us to live each day to the fullest as she did. She wasn't dying of cancer. She was living. She biked over 50,000 miles and walked just as many (enough to go around the world twice, a bucket list item of hers before she knew she even needed a bucket list). She photographed beauty in God's creation. She spent time in prayer and community, enjoying all that God had given her. The lessons she taught anyone she met are too numerous to even type out.
My Grandma Rose was a gentle woman. The kindest, sweetest lady there ever was. Her name was no coincidence. Beautiful, sweet, colorful. She raised 9 kids and yet she seemed so young and energetic. She had a deep love of our mother Mary, and could always be found with a rosary in her hand or her pocket. She could be found at daily Mass and out to breakfast with family and friends afterwards. She was a constant source of encouragement for me as a mom of many kids. She'd remind me that each season had it fair share of joys and challenges and that all we needed was faith and love to get through each one. She pushed me to be a better mom by her example. She taught my mom how to be an amazing mom and grandma. I see so much of my grandma in my mom, they're truly kindred spirits. In each of my mom's siblings, I can see pieces of my grandparents, but my mom most closely resembles each and every one of grandma's greatest attributes.
Over a year ago, my grandma fractured her hip. At that point, she spent time in the hospital and in a rehab facility. Managing her pain was difficult and her health declined pretty rapidly. Medications made her confused and tired and we all saw how hard that was. She was ready to be reunited with her husband in heaven. But the rest of us weren't. She passed away in January after a final battle with pneumonia that she had no desire to beat. She was ready for heaven and I know that's where she is.
Her funeral was HARD. How do you grieve the loss of such an amazing person? The 9 children, 24 grand children, 40+ great-grandchildren, plus countless in-laws looked up to her. This amazing family that I feel so blessed to be a part of has lost her sweet presence. And yet, I know that we now have her and grandpa praying for us in heaven. I know that she continues to be my example and my inspiration. Her lessons didn't die with her. Pieces of her live on through her family.
Just 2 1/2 months later, my Aunt passed away. Her funeral was just as HARD. And yet both were so very beautiful. So very them. Each reading, each eulogy, each flower and picture was just right. It was everything they wanted to it be. A remembrance, a celebration, a chance to grieve, and a chance to see God's beauty.
It's hard to put into words how life changing their funerals were to me. I think of them constantly. I try to imitate their lives daily and I turn to Mary for constant help and guidance. I can't do it on my own. And now I have two saints in heaven who are very close to me, helping me along the way. Life will never be the same without them here but I hope that I can use what they've taught me to keep them close!
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