Our world turned upside down on July 2nd. Whenever your phone rings before 7 AM, you know it's bad news and it was- horrible news. One of my favorite Aunts - Aunt Alice (my mom's sister) passed away in her sleep. Oh what a shock and oh my heart sank so quickly. Justine and I immediately went to my mom's house where we cried and just held each other tight! How could this be? Why? She's so young- only 66. Why her- the one who followed God hourly and had so much to give to her family and friends? Why now? So many unanswered questions as we began making another trip to San Antonio for another funeral.So plans were arranged for services and how I felt so useless for my cousins (all around my age), spending their days picking out a casket for their mom. This just isn't right- at 36 you shouldn't be doing that. And yet, with God's plan, this how they spent their 4th of July weekend.
The services were amazing and how perfect since Aunt Alice was such an amazing person. She spoke ill of no one, prayed nightly and daily for others, loved being around family and friends and devoted herself to my Uncle Lupe of 44 years, her children, her grandchildren, her sisters, her nieces, nephews, friends, etc. She is the reason I bake. I would spend summers with them and we would go through all her cookbooks and pick out what we would bake, go to the store to get the ingredients and then eat some of the dough or batter and enjoy baking our goods. I thank her for showing me what being an "Aunt" is all about.
During her Rosary, the Priest offered a reflection story about her "dash". When you see some one's DOB, then a dash and the day they passed, we think of how many years they lived. The story talked about the dash- the time between the day you were born and the day you died. This story hit me like a ton of bricks. How do you want to spend your dash, what will your dash say about you? Will your dash be a reflection of negativity, complaining, filled with "should have's" or will it be comprised of caring and giving to others, joy, taking time for family and friends, living positively. The dash symbolizes your life. Not the born date or the day you die. The dash is what people will remember and what is the most accurate reflection of who you are. So with that- here's to honoring my Aunt Alice and making the most of my dash!
Auntie Loy, Aunt Alice and my mom- the 3 sisters!
