It really saddens me when I look at the tributes, on fb, to my cousin, Kristal. I wasn't able to be there to participate. It saddens me that I missed something that was so beautiful, something that attibuted to her life and the kind of person she was to us all.
I wish I had the strength of her mom, Yvonne, who I'm sure did an excellent job of making sure her life was celebrated. Yvonne knows where the strength is--it is not in remembering the day of her death but the years of her life, and I wish I had that kind of strength, right now--that light that leads to healthy living and prosperity. So, I celebrate you, Yvonne, for being the kind of mom who loved her kids, everyday, and lived with them, everyday, no matter what. This tragedy has brought so many life lessons, to call it anything other than life is to not call it at all. I love you, dear Kristal, and I want you to know how much your death has impacted my life--the pain being so unbearable that I'm forced into celebrating who you are.
I pray that we all take away from this light you have given us the permission and the freedom to live, despite everything else. RIP, dear sweet cousin.
Love you always,
Yvette
