I know everybody wondered why I have not been writing my stories and why my articles have not been in your weekly papers.
I have been through a seriously upsetting moment in my life and have felt painful sadness and grief. My godmother, who was my boyfriend Danny’s aunt, passed away recently. When I met Danny back in 1996, I used to sometimes help his aunt. His cousin and I were friends, and I began to know more of Danny’s family members and neighbors.
Danny and I hit it off with a strong spark and are very compatible. His aunt had a major stroke, so sometimes I would come past to help and sometimes I would just come and sit with her. Her daughter had to work and sometimes Danny worked. I had an apartment in Silver Spring, Maryland, but I gave up my place and moved in with Miss Ella and her daughter.
Miss Ella was like my second mother. She and I clicked like magic. She trusted me to bathe her and help her dress and make her meals and give her her meds. I was like a live-in nurse’s aide. I was always there to go with her to her doctor’s appointments, watch TV with her, and listen to church on Sundays.
Gospel music might be playing when her daughter fixed a nice Sunday dinner, maybe with fried chicken and fried fish, collard greens, cornbread and potato salad. She would be in the kitchen, cooking. Danny always read the Word of God to her. He sat on the side of her bed, writing out different passages from scriptures. He was very understanding of her needs and wants.
She often bathed at night. I would help her with her diapers and help her put on a fresh nightgown. She was an angel. Later, as the years passed, she got sicker and sicker. All the love and memories stuck with me throughout many years. Danny’s sister always helped. I called myself a wonderful caregiver who put work into what I did for her.
The last time that Danny and I saw her was in August. We had our last laugh and smiles with her, and we were full of heartfelt joy and love. Then we found out that she was very sick. She went to the hospital and was sent to a nursing home to be cared for. She was too sick to be cared for at home anymore. She had dementia and other complications.
When she passed away, I took it very hard. Danny did, too. Her daughter, Danny, and I were one big happy family. I miss her truly. I have many feelings at the same time: tears of joy and happiness and pain and sadness, sometimes depression and heartache.
Memories of her play back in my mind daily. Words can’t explain the pain that I feel. She is going to be missed and not forgotten. She will always be in everybody’s heart. She and my father are up In heaven, rejoicing with each other and other loved ones. They all welcomed my godmother Ella with open arms and flowers and presented her with her golden robe that sparkles and twinkles, and with her halo, her crown, and her beautiful angel wings.
There were smiles and kisses from all the angels who greeted her as she came through the Golden Gates of Heaven and the Streets of Gold and Glory.
I still feel upset and tearful and so does Danny. Please pray for us and his family to have strength. We appreciate all the help and support from everybody and all the Love. I am healing from the pain and trying to be strong through this storm.
Playlist songs: 1. “God is My Friend,” by Marvin Gaye 2. “Ask the Lonely,” by The Four Tops 3. “I’m Going Away,” by Walter Hawkins 4. “His Eye is on the Sparrow,” by Marvin Gaye
