One Year Ago

 One year ago my cousin Nancy left us. Her surgery on the 18th of December was for a brain aneurysm. We expected it would be a difficult procedure but she had come out of a prior surgery ok so we expected this would be the same. On the morning of the 19th I received word from her daughters that Nancy had passed away. Still one year later her missing presence leaves a gaping hole in our families life. We miss you terribly Nancy but we remember the best of who you were. Your funny sense of humor, your art and writings, your love of family and your love for your daughters Mariko and Miyoshi. We miss your artistry. Who will continue your updates on our family tree drawing, your yearly beautifully drawn calendars? Who will show us your latest creations, paintings, sculptures out of found objects, your latest outfit with hand sewn pockets. Who will amaze us with the latest purse made out of a plastic onion bag holder. You were the queen of refurbishing something old into something creatively inventive and new. Who will give me cuttings from her garden, or a jar of jam made out of fruit from your trees. Who will come over to my house and do jigsaw puzzles with me or say "Want to go to a movie? Want to have In and Out for lunch". I feel you with me still. I know you are laughing and creating art and dancing still. There was a candle of three angels that your mother placed on the fireplace mantel every Christmas. As the years passed the middle of the candle melted lower and when it burned it gave a warm yellow glow to the angels. When your daughters planned the celebration of life for you they made sure that candle was by your photographs. Yesterday on the eve of your passing I was texting your daughters saying that I knew it was a hard day. I said I know it's hard to hear Nancy's voice but she is trying to tell us not to be sad. She is trying to say be happy but it's just hard for us to hear her. Just then her daughter Miyo texted she had decided to get the xmas decorations out and in doing so the most amazing thing happened. She opened an old box and found a new three angel candle like the one her grandma burned every xmas. It was just like that candle on the mantel. Anyway the angel candle was in the original box brand new and the card was still attached. It said "To Nancy and Steve, Something to light up your holiday season. from Barb and Mike. " This was given to Nancy maybe 30 years ago! Miyoshi said in all the past years she had never opened the box before. Of all nights for this to happen, the eve of her passing one year ago. Thank you Nancy we heard your voice saying "Hey y'all, I'm still with you!"