Dear Family & Friends,
I have had subtle signs all day that Stella is trying to communicate with me. As I sat down to look at her Facebook page, I realized the hour is the same as it was 365 days ago. Stella went off to heaven one year ago at 5PM. I have had a very difficult time since the Holidays. I have been in a "funk". I knew this day was coming and I tried to figure out how I would get through it. Today is also my dear friend, Dotty's birthday. Dotty has been my "other mother" for almost 18 years. She passed away on Christmas Eve after a tough battle with cancer. My sister & "Aunt Dot" loved each other & got to know each other when Stella would visit me here in Florida.
I have not written this blog for such a long time. I cry every time I read it. But I am so grateful that I wrote it because I have been blessed with the ability of reliving many details of the last month of my dear sister, Stella's life. Many of the details were sad, but so many more made me happy that I was able to share my sister with the world.
Stella was a strong person and had a great sense of humor. She had a great group of friends that she cherished and shared so many great memories with. Our family is so blessed to know that Stella brought so much joy & laughter to so many people. The wonderful stories I have heard and pictures her friends have posted--have helped get through this past year.
My family has shared many "Aunt Nelly moments" this past year. We all know the funny things that would make her laugh. She and I had so many inside jokes that I still find myself dialing the phone when I hear/see something that would make her laugh. Not hearing her voice has been very hard on me. I constantly listen to her old voicemails that I have saved on my cell phone just to help me get through. My sister & I spoke to each other every single day.
I have not had any dreams of my sister in this past year, but I have had hundreds of signs that she is always around. I am hopeful that I will start dreaming of her soon.
My Sissy gave us all so much in her time here on Earth. She would be telling me to stop crying if she were sitting next to me right now. She didn't want me to worry throughout her illness and always made sure I was okay. She was always looking out for her "baby sis". She always wanted us to be happy & enjoy life.
I have been trying to focus on a quote that I recently saw...as I know my sister would have said this to me:
"Don't cry because it's over...smile because it happened."
I hope that everyone who reads this can respond by sharing a fond memory that they have of our dear, Stella Rose. Thank you for reading.
Love, Grace
