The middle of February, a cold winter day. We were on our way to our destination, the car filled with complete silence except for the tires gliding on the road. I watched outside the window as white snowflakes flew through the sky. I sat in the car, my black dress on with black boots. I gently touched my cross necklace to make sure it was on. In my hand I held my piece of paper getting nervous for the day. I closed my eyes to picture where this all begun.

It was just a normal week of school. I woke up at the crack of dawn, and felt the coldness of the air outside. I went to school just like a normal day. I got home knowing that I had to study for my finals. I grabbed an after school snack then started downstairs and studied for my history final.
I heard a loud noise and looked up from my notes, “Maddie, can you come upstairs,” my dad yelled downstairs to me.

As I heard this, my heart dropped and I could feel that something bad happened. The unsteadiness of my dad’s voice gave me the impression something was wrong. I got myself up off of the couch like I drag myself out of bed in the morning. Slowly started making my way up the stairs, knowing something was wrong. I got up there and I sat on the couch, and looked at my mom’s red, teary eyes.

My dad gently began to say, “Your aunt passed away last night.”

My first reaction was to run away, to get away from the pain. But I couldn’t. Instead tears rolled down my cheeks, blurring my eyesight. Salty, tears fell into my mouth. My parents both began to tell me what happened, but it was all a blur. My mom touched my shoulder and pulled me in for a hug.

As I walked inside the church, I strolled into heaven. It was beautiful, filled with amazing glass windows and high ceilings of a Catholic church. I stepped in overwhelmed by all of the people, as I heard many voices. I walked around seeing so many people with teary eyes and giving hugs. I followed these reactions, and the one specific hug I remember was to my uncle. A tall, big man with a shaggy beard, who towered over me as he hugged me.

He whispered to me, “She’s in a better place now,” I shook my head in agreement.

I knew that he was right, I just couldn’t get out the words to say that. My family and I started to walk into the chappel, and the pastor prayed for my aunt. We sat down and watched as he started the service. It all felt unreal. But then the time had come for my cousin and me to share memories with our aunt. As I pulled out my piece of paper, I became nervous again. We both slowly made our way up the stairs to the microphone, and once I got up there my aunt was the only one on my mind. I looked into the crowd and saw my family, but I also saw many unfamiliar faces.

I introduced myself first, then my cousin, and we told our favorite memories with our aunt. My aunt wasn’t just a normal aunt to me, she was a huge role model. Tall with black, curly hair about shoulder length that flowed down beautifully. Her eyes were dark brown and her teeth shined white when she’d smile. One of my favorite clothings of hers was one of her many beautiful dresses. I soon learned to follow this trend as I grew up. Something I admired and loved about her. She would just sparkle in these dresses and it showed off her outgoing, fun personality.

My cousin and I could always count on my aunt to do fun stuff with us. For instance, when she went parasailing with us or when she’d sneak us out for dessert before supper. We also both went to Canada every summer with my aunt and uncle. One of my favorite trips and it was always filled with laughs, smiles, and lots of fish. A second mom, my aunt was to me.  I would go to her house when I was sick, and she would always take care of me. It was like being with her made me feel so much better. One of my favorite things to do with my aunt was when we would watch the movie, Jurassic Park. A special time to me, because she was the only one that let me watch this movie.

“I know that she will always be with us and in our hearts, watching over all of us. Being our guarding angel.”

I looked up after reading the last sentence, and felt relieved as I walked down the stairs and back to my seat. I looked back down at her obituary and felt slightly better knowing that I was fortunate enough to have all of these amazing memories.

After the service was over we walked into the dining hall to eat lunch. I remember the smell of the fresh home cooked meal. I grabbed a plate but didn’t fill in with much food. As I sat down I was surprised by how many people walked up to me and told me how well my speech was. They also mentioned how graceful my voice was up there, and how well I spoke about my aunt. These were people that I barely knew, and others that I didn’t know at all. This truly amazed me. I was never one to talk in front of that many people but that day changed all of that. I believe my aunt was with me the whole time and watched over me and I was blessed to have felt that love of her, again.

A painful day to experience, but it also gave me strength. I became a stronger person with this, but it had left the thought of my aunt everyday. She was my rock, someone that I admired and loved so much. Everyday, as a little kid I told myself I couldn't wait to grow up and be like Auntie Beth. I continue to look up to her in heaven.

The time had come to leave the church. The time for my family and me to leave the sadness of today and move onto the next day. We left the parking lot of the church and I once again looked outside but saw nothing, just the sun that fell and closed the day. The day was cold, cold on a February day. I sat in the car and had put my piece of paper away, away for another day I needed remembrance of my aunt.