** This is an excerpt of an article entitled "December Notations" originally published on ARCMND.CO on January  2nd, 2023 and written by Etheldreda Esomba 

It's important to remember the significance in our existence but that said existence is limited.

To expand:

recognizing our existence lies in living whole-y,

filling up our allotted space,

impacting those around us positively/with intangible benefits,

honoring ourselves by remembering we are mere mortals, not machines, nor are we imperishable

But what lasts longer than the physical? Our spirits.

And the memories imbedded in minds of those left behind to tell the story.

Your story.

To bring further relevance I lost a mothering figure to cancer. The kind of cancer that just sweeps in without warning and files out with its host just as fast. There's a profound contrast in emotions with all things considered. Obviously there's a heavy and dark bitterness in the depth of her absence, she won't get to see her only son graduate (in the physical at least), she won't get to grow old and be introduced to the offspring that she envisioned for all her "children", and most importantly the fact that she never really got to relax -- a theme that is all too prevalent in the lifestyles of single African/Black moms.

And it could've stopped there had she not lived whole-y. But considering that's not the case, there's a silver lining.

She was one of a kind, and that in every sense of the phrase. She's someone you could expect nothing but the rawest truth from. Someone that opened her home to all and made sure you left with not only food for the belly but food for thought. There was no such thing as a brief or dull moment as she made sure to fill up the space and time together with her boisterous storytelling and humorous anecdotes.

Death is inevitable, but she shared so much life.

She's remembered for her life and that is something to be grateful for.

Rest In Peace Aunty Ese