The first day of the rest of your life…without someone

Stop for one minute and try to fathom your life with out someone you love. It’s an awful thought. We tend to take each minute with our loved ones as though we are entitled to them and things will never change. But, then reality changes everything. Yesterday, a woman who I have come to love very dearly passed away. My step-mom, Beatrice Smith-Simmons lived a full life but it was cut short by cancer. My dad called me about ten hours after her passing to let me know. She had been sick for some time and I was waiting for the call but it was so surreal when it finally came. I was walking into our bedroom with a pile of laundry in hand, phone stuck between my shoulder and ear. His voice was quiet and calm. “Mish, Bea passed away this morning at around 3:45ish”. I responded but I felt confused and then I started to cry. Bea’s beautiful face flashed through my mind’s eye, her soft voice, crooked smile, gentle hands and kind eyes. My dad and I talked for a few more minutes crying together, softly and then we hung up. I stopped folding laundry and made a few calls to let my family know, then I just cried. I cried and thought to myself how awful it is for a beautiful person, such as Bea, to have to leave this earth. But, she didn’t leave us empty handed. She did a lot with her time here and I will never, never forget her. I read a saying once: “People will forget what you’ve said. People will forget what you’ve done, but people will never forget how you made them feel”. Bea — you taught me a lot and you always made me feel good about myself. You were kind and loving and reproved my actions when needed. Your sweet spirit will never be forgotten. Thank you. I love you.