A Tribute to My Aunt

My Aunt J had breast cancer back in 1996. They gave her radiation treatments, and that put her into remission -- for 24 years. Last September, she told me that they had found another spot on her mammogram. They were going to do surgery to remove the spot and possibly do chemotherapy after that. It seemed like it would all be okay. But it wasn't. 

Scans showed that she had cancer in her lungs and ribs at that time. So, they cancelled the surgery and started chemotherapy. She was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. I knew this wasn't good, but I had hoped that they could contain the cancer and prolong her life. 

I won't go into all the nitty gritty details here, but as the months progressed, the cancer spread like wildfire, and none of the chemo treatments they tried (they tried three different kinds!) did anything to slow it down or stop the spread. 

Sadly, my aunt lost her life to the cancer yesterday morning at 7:32am. The end sounded just horrid. I am so sad she is gone, but I m happy she is not in so much pain or suffering anymore. She was only 76. She was taken too soon, in my opinion, but God must have needed her for something. 

My aunt did not want anyone to make a fuss over her death. I am writing this tribute in an effort to give myself some closure and to honor her memory. I hope that she understands that this is my way of saying good-bye. 

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My aunt and my sister at my sister's wedding.
*Photo used with permission. 

My earliest memory of my Aunt J is when my parents were still married (they got divorced when I was 7)! We were having some type of get-together at our house. I was sitting on my Aunt J's lap, and we were eating those little rectangular crackers together (not Saltines, they were a lot smaller than that). We each took a bite of the cracker at the same time. Well, when we had two bites left, I ended up popping the rest of my cracker into my mouth, and my Aunt J just laughed and laughed because she expected me to have two bites left! 

Growing up, my dad, my sister, and I would always go visit Aunt J around Christmas time (among other times of the year, of course). She always had the most beautiful white Christmas tree in her living room. I have loved white Christmas trees since. 

My Aunt J always had the most beautiful home. The last time I saw it, her living room had a lot of pink in it. Her couch had a beautiful pink floral pattern against a dark green background. She had these two chairs and ottomans that were pink in there, too. I know she ended up redecorating, but this is how I'll always remember her living room. Her house was always immaculate! 

Oftentimes, when we'd visit, my aunt's house, my sister and I would go down to the basement where Aunt J had a jukebox and pinball machine and play with those. That would give her and my dad time to chat. 

My sister and I collected Beanie Babies when we were younger. They were all the rage then. We were always trying to find the rare ones. My Aunt J got us each the coveted Princess Diana and Erin bears. I still have mine, and I know my sister does, too. I will never part with them. 

My Aunt J has a nice fireplace in her house. She always kept this ceramic cat by it. When I was young, I used to pretend I was petting the cat. It is one of the things I remember most vividly about her home. 

My aunt seemed to like to bake. She was always making things and giving them to my dad. She'd always tell me she'd made him this or that, and I'd always think, "Wow, lucky Dad! That sounds so delicious!" 

She was a very thoughtful woman. She helped me buy a new computer several years ago when my desktop randomly died. When my iPhone 6s+ was on its way out, she helped me get a new iPhone! I was so blessed that she did that. It saved me from having to make a two-year payment plan. It was so sweet of her, and I often think of her when I use my phone. 

My aunt hosted my high school graduation party for my dad's side of the family. A few years later, she hosted my sister's high school graduation party. Both were fun times, memories I will cherish. 

When Lita was dying, my aunt sent me an email - a sweet writing from a pet's perspective. It was about how thankful the pet was for having a good home and how now that she was going, she wanted her human to give another pet a good home. It made me cry, but it was very sweet. 

Speaking of pets.......my Aunt J had a dog named Nipsy. Nipsy was a light and dark brown dog. She was a cute little dog, and I remember really liking her. I think I was fairly young when Nipsy died. My aunt seemed to love her, but she never got another dog after that. 

My aunt and I weren't as close as my grandma K and I, but she kept in touch over the years, even when I wasn't the easiest person to get along with in my 20s! I am thankful she never gave up on our relationship. I came to value and treasure our relationship over the years and wanted to do something for her when I found out she had cancer again. How I wish I could have just taken it away from her. She did not deserve to suffer that way. 

Though my aunt was taken too soon, I am thankful that I got to enjoy such a long relationship with her. I am thankful I had the opportunity to know this special and amazing woman. I love her and will miss her. I hope she's reunited with my grandma and grandpa K now, her brother, and her Nipsy.