Happy Birthday my namesake

I was named after such a beautiful Aunty, a well educated, humble woman who we lost to sickness 24 years ago. She was 12 days away from her 48th birthday and 7 days away from my 13th birthday. I miss her terribly I really do. I remember just being released from hospital and we had gone to visit Aunty the weekend before her passing. But also to return her car to her. I was wheelchair bound thanks to some fancy hip surgery, so had my brother carrying me around :) so so lucky. That was the last time I would see her. I remember the day, we lived in Taumarunui and it was like being told the worst news ever! We were packed into the car and I remember feeling so much sadness, because I loved her so much. The clouds on our drive there looked stormy and dark, to me it represented the way my heart felt. On arrival I was carried up the steps to her house in my wheelchair and it was at that moment it struck me hard. Aunty was gone forever. I remember feeling hands consoling me during that time, but I just wanted my Aunty back. Even now remembering, It brings floods of tears. I remember sitting in the bath and I know she came to visit me. I'd never felt the presence of a spirit before and I knew at that moment it was her. I cried and cried, cried when I went to bed, whispering her name, holding my hand out wishing she was there to hold it. That was my first real experience with grief close to home, grief close to my heart that it struck like beating your chest. Your heart skips a beat and really, you never forget. 24 years on and I remember like it was yesterday. I wish that I had grown up just like her. She was a well respected lady, astute, humble and beautiful in every way. I will never forget her coughs or throat clearing, it was a part of Aunty i'll never forget. Love you Aunty Ani Anne Herangi x (photo credit to my sister Maria - my dad and Aunty Ani)