i thought of her today. my late aunt. it could have been that a friend's aunt just passed away. or it could have been because i could feel the weight of the pearl ring she passed on to me, just as i do every other day. i thought of her equal parts tough and comforting love. i thought of my cousin- who is more like a brother to me- and his strength and patient kindness during her last year. i thought about how in awe i was that he was able to keep it together. i thought about how i still am. i thought of how i longed to be his shoulder when i heard the news- not on the other continent i had to just landed on.

i found these pictures and was reminded that she is at peace and the spirit of her life will live on in some form through everyone that knew her.  her sisters, her son, her nieces and nephews and their kids. all of us finally together, to lay her to rest in the calm waters, where she always loved to be, alongside her loyal dog.