When given the opportunity with a company like the odyssey to write whatever I want, I immediately thought about writing this. I knew it would help to work out the scattered thoughts swarming in my head and put them into a detailed piece. However, I thought it may look a little strange to have my very first published article as a writer be one that was difficult to both read and write (if that makes any sense at all).
My aunt's life was full of adventure, happiness, and love. But, with the good times come the bad; she had plenty of those too, of course. When I think of her, there's just no other way to describe her than pure love. We loved her just the same. My aunt didn't have kids, but treated us (my brother, sister, cousin-anyone she cared for) like her own. To me, that's what real family is, honestly. She loved without any regard to what we did on a daily basis. She listened, she really listened; and it was because she cared. No one really cares anymore, not like she did. She'd "stop by" (drive from Maryland to Delaware) just to say hello, spend the weekend with us, then wake up around 4 a.m. Monday morning to head to work. She loved working. She did everything she did because she genuinely wanted to, because she loved it. She loved taking vacations and trips across country, and made the stops where I wished I had. If there was a cool-looking flower on the way to the car, chances are there are 20 pictures on her camera of it. She just had a love for living, for life itself. I wish I could put it into better words. It's funny, my aunt was worried that when it was her time she wouldn't have a legacy to leave behind. Love was her legacy.
My aunt was not prepared for her life to end. She got up one morning prepared to ride her bike to work that day. The driver of that truck was not prepared to take a life. They got up that morning prepared to collect trash that day.
It's so easy to go to a place in your head that's dark, twisty, and does nothing but pull you down further when something like this happens. If there's anything her tragic death taught me, though, it's to love more. With the holiday season approaching, I can't stress enough the importance of being in the moment. Record the silly moments, laugh as much as you can, and love each other. I know this article may seem simple and vague, but it's something I've needed to be more aware of recently and something that I think we all can be more aware of. Thank you for taking the time to read my articles, thank you for all the love this year. Happy Holidays!
