Thea Roula

Last week my aunt, 'Thea Roula', passed away.  She was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in March.  Peter worked miracles and came home a day early from his business trip to Portugal, so I could go back to Boston, but I still wasn't able to make it to the funeral.

Even though they tried to convince me not to come home, there was no way I could stay in CH while my family was going though this back in Boston.  I wanted to be close to people who understood my heartache and, even if it meant sitting on her doorstep, I wanted to be available to Liza (my cousin).  Thankfully, she was happy to have her shadow back, like before Libby and Emi were born.  Although the circumstances were tragic, it was so nice to spend so much time together.  Liza and I have a pretty big age difference, but she never made me feel like hanging out with her little cousin was a chore.  She is Libby's Godmother and has always made her and me a priority.  Our moms were sisters and so are we.

Liza had my brother John read her speech at the funeral, which I read when I got home.  In it there was this poem:

You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she’s gone
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what she’d want:
smile,
open your eyes,
love
and go on.

After reading the poem, she expressed her's and her brother's gratitude to everyone who came to the wake and funeral.  She then went on to say that in response to the many, "If there is anything I can do..." offers, she only asks that people live there lives guided by kindness and forgiveness.  Through her grief, she still remained the eternal optimist, while also taking the time to think about others and offer the wisdom that often comes though tragedy.  Now you might understand why I feel so lucky to have Liza!

Thea Roula with her pride and joys (her grandchildren), caring for our grandparents' plot.  I liked it better this way, but I'm sure she is happy to see them again.  

I seriously can not believe this is happening, because I can't picture my life without Thea Roula.  She has always been a constant and I have never questioned her love for me, even if I didn't see her weekly like when I was little.  I respected her honesty and knew that if she has something to say, she would say it to me.  All of us are far from perfect, but at the end, all that matters is that we loved and were loved, in spite of, and sometimes because of, our faults.  I am so grateful I felt this love with "Lula".