My new guardian angel

This past week has been a difficult week for me. On Tuesday morning, my aunt passed away. She was a woman of strength, courage and love. She left an everlasting impression on all she met. She lived life to the fullest and loved those around her. She never had a bad word to say about anyone or anything. She always found the good in every situation. She was a light in the darkness. She encompassed the commandments of Jesus Christ, she loved the Lord, her God, with all of her heart and she loved others as she loved herself.
She was the silent driving force behind me. When I was a child, she would watch my brother and I, along with her four children. She was more than an aunt to me, she was like a second mother. She was always there for me, pushing me to do better, knowing I could do better. I remember her taking the time to help me prepare for my sequential math 1 regents exam. I was struggling with this class and there was the chance that I would fail and not be able to move on. So, for two weeks, every night, she sat with me and worked with me. Needless to say, I got the second highest score on the regents exam, surprising not only myself, also my teacher (his comments are for another post). And then as an adult, she was always encouraging, uplifting, and joyous. When I came back to church, she was there, waiting, with open arms. We worked together on several church matters and during this time, she saw me go through struggle after struggle that no person should have to endure. During my struggles, I knew that I was being shaped and molded for a reason and purpose. I remember talking with her about this, and to my surprise, she told me that I was so much farther along on my walk with Christ to be able to see this and that it inspired her. I inspired her? I was shocked and speechless.
I did leave that church, in search of a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, where I was free to worship and discover Him in my own ways. Not once did she scorn me or guilt me. She loved me for me. She encouraged me to continue on, to continue with my walk, to know Christ. I can honestly say, when I was in her presence, I was with Jesus Christ. She modeled her life after Him, and she lived it out every day. She is an example of Jesus Christ living in this world.
A few years ago, she was diagnosed with melanoma. Many of us know what this is and for those of us who do not, just ask. She thought she had beaten it, it only returned, over and over again. She fought a good fight and lived life to the fullest. She lost her battle with cancer on Tuesday morning. Her children and loving husband were there with her when she went home. I know the pain that they feel and the loss that they have endured.
My aunt will forever be in my heart. When my mom died, I would tell people I always knew I had a guardian angel, it is now that I know what she looks like. I now have another guardian angel and she is beautiful.
I love you Aunt Janet, I miss you and I will see you when it is my turn to come home.