In Memory of Sharon

After battling breast cancer for the past seven years, my aunt Sharon died this past Thursday, February 22, 2007.

She left behind my uncle Gary and their three children, Ian, Bradley and Megan.

Sharon was a high school math teacher, and having been tutored by her through both high school trigonometry and college algebra, I can personally attest that she was damn good at what she did. I imagine she was a tough teacher, but her mark was made evident when 50 or more former students showed up for her funeral on Sunday.

Sharon was a mother. The past few weeks with her were spent listening to story after story of when her three children were born, experiences during their childhood, and advice for me, the new mom. If I take anything from her it will be the lessons in motherhood that she passed along.

Sharon was a wife. She and my uncle were both soul mates and best friends and they worked hard to make their marriage work.  Major family decisions were made together, right up until the end. I never heard either say a disparaging word about the other in all my life, nor did I ever see either of them angry. They took care of each other, and together took care of their family. In June they would have celebrated 25 years together.

Sharon saw the best in everyone. I never heard a negative word about another come out of her mouth. Ever. Despite whether she agreed with what others believed, she didn't judge, she didn't lecture, and she didn't criticize. She didn't gossip.  She loved unconditionally, which is the best kind of love. Her unyielding optimism, in the face of everything she endured, was a testament to the lovely person she was both inside and out.

So it is with an extremely heavy heart that I say goodbye to my aunt.  Goodbye to the woman who tried so hard to raise the math section of my ACT score; whom I named my pet rabbit after when I was five years old.  Goodbye to the woman who was just as ferocious as the rest of our family when playing cards; who for 20-something years always began our conversations with, "how's math coming?"  Goodbye to the woman who, during our last conversation, was so excited to hear that I was having a little girl… Goodbye to the woman who told me that I would make a fantastic mom.

What an amazing compliment from a truly amazing woman.  I only hope that someday I will look in the mirror and see my Aunt Sharon in myself.

Unconditional love. A wonderful wife. And above all else, a fantastic mother. Tweet