Where Do I Begin?
Where do I begin? How do you find the words to say goodbye to someone who changed your life with nothing more than kindness, generosity, and love?
Ms. Sissy, thank you for being my guardian angel in Florida.
I can still hear your voice as clearly as if it were yesterday.
"What are you doing there?"
"I’m waiting for the bus," I replied.
"Where are you going?"*you shouted.
I gave you my address, and without hesitation you said, "Get in. I'm going that way."
It was only my second day at AD Henderson School. What started as one ride home became two years of unwavering kindness. Every school day, you made sure I got home safely. You never accepted a dime, no matter how many times I offered. You would even make extra stops if I needed to. To you, it was never an inconvenience it was simply what you did.
But you gave me so much more than rides home.
You became my friend, my mentor, my confidante, and my laughing buddy. You welcomed my family with open arms during a time when we were far from home and trying to find our place in a new country. Your kindness made Florida feel a little less unfamiliar and a lot more like home.
Even after I moved back to Canada, our friendship never faded. I never stopped calling to check in on you. Or messaging Tyra for updates. One of my favorite traditions was calling every year on your birthday just to sing "Happy Birthday." Those conversations meant so much to me, and I hope you always knew how deeply you were loved.
I am so grateful that you were part of my oldest son's life, creating memories he will always carry with him. It also brings me comfort knowing you got to meet my youngest, even if it was through FaceTime. Distance never weakened the bond we shared.
Ms. Sissy, you showed me that family isn't always connected by blood. Sometimes family is the person who stops their car for a young girl waiting at a bus stop and, without realizing it, changes the course of her life.
Thank you for every ride, every laugh, every conversation, every word of encouragement, and every act of love. Thank you for seeing me, caring for me, and treating me like one of your own.
Your kindness lives on in everyone whose life you touched, especially mine. I will carry your love, your laughter, and your beautiful spirit with me forever.
Rest peacefully, my dear friend. You will always be my guardian angel.
As you would say Toodaloo my sweet girl !! WE LOVE YOUUUUU!! Nathan , Donna and Blaze!