Saying Goodbye

April 27, 2006

We watched the sunset tonight. As the sun descended, the sky turned from golden to a rose color with dark shadows. The reds appeared, then the bright golden lining across the horizon. Night fell quietly, as our days without my aunt had their beginnings.

Today we said our goodbyes to my aunt, my Tia Emma. She was a wonderful Christian woman, “full of years” as her son told me, as was said of King David.

As I walked and talked with family about this Christian woman, I was invited into her life and her life’s journey. Many things I knew and had thought about. Other things I didn’t know. I kept being reminded of how remarkable a woman my aunt was, and what an honor it was to be in the company sharing the stories of this bright, educated, and thoughtful person.

The good times and the not-so-good times unfolded. The cowgirl from the high country, Taos, New Mexico, turned soul mate, turned mother, business woman, grandmother, great grandmother.

Goodbyes are never easy. We watched the sun go down at the end of the day. And the void in our family appeared. Our tomorrows will come without her – but still with the legacy that she left in her sons, granddaughters, and the rest of us…

We thanked God today for the life and inspiration that was my Tia Emma – as we will tomorrow and until we see her again.

Psalms 23: 4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me…