Today I Will Be Happy & Celebrate You

October 5th, 2014 was the day I lost one of my biggest champions, today would have been her 61st birthday.

I found out that my Aunt Sheryl had brain cancer in June of 2013 after returning from a vacation. What a way to be brought back down to Earth from a vacation high. She had already been in the hospital undergoing surgery while I "recovered" from my trip.

I soon found out that she came out alright and would be beginning treatment. This began a year and a half fight that she never gave up on. Until the very end she was always Sheryl. My Aunt was one of the strongest, most confident and passionate people in my life. She was a successful Doctor, a published Author and an Inspirational Speaker.

I've never had someone close to me die before and I didn't know how I would process it. We all knew it was coming, but we never lost hope and always shared our love for each other. I regret all the time that passed between visits when she was healthy, but I am thankful all the time we spent together while she was sick.

She ALWAYS told it like it was, even if you didn't want to hear it and because she was family I always trusted and never doubted her words. We didn't always share the same views, but we always respected each other. I am left with with her words of support, encouragement and love that pushes me to be the woman she always saw in me.

I still cannot wrap my head around death. It is so final and yet not because you still have your thoughts and memories. A living in her house after she was gone was sad but also only felt like she was out for the moment. My Uncle gave me a few of her purses and I love being able to carry a piece of her with me. {We were/are both purse lovers :)}

Our last picture together.

Our last day together, a Friday, was the hardest. She told me she loved me, she held my hand so tight and I could feel like she didn't want me to leave. The next morning she was gone. I'm glad we had those final moments together and I am so happy that she is at peace and not in pain anymore. She hated being cooped up in bed, it was not her. Now she is free to be herself again and I know she is with me and whispering "my sweet Meg."