IF I COULD MAKE ONE WISH RIGHT NOW…

and it came true, it would be to hear Elva say, “Meo, give me a call right back, not tomorrow, but immediately back!” I suppose this is how life works, but I know it isn’t God’s purpose to separate her from me and cause her great suffering. However, I hope she did not experience this sorrow or cry as much as I did for her.

There are a million things I miss about Elva, including every nuance of her personality, her deep love and admiration for her family and friends, and her voracious appetite for life and the knowledge that comes with it.

I miss her mind, and the way she would put a spin on anything and anyone. Love like hers is rare these days. I guess this earth can’t handle things so pure and true...

One of my most memorable moments is how she taught me how to cook grits. She said, “make sure you use a whisk to stir, and your grits will be perfect.” Well, it was, and I told her it came out perfectly. She said, “Call your cousin Eth and let her know because she refuses to use a whisk”.

I can clearly hear her voice, the last time we spoke, she was in the hospital, and I asked, “Did Gemma spend the night with you?”. And my heart was warm when she said, “Is the Pope Catholic?”, a phrase she so often says to drive a point home. But, I can’t help constantly asking myself, “Why did she have to die?”. Why can’t all her dreams come true?. No one deserves them more than she does.

From an early age, adorned with gloves and a purse her loving Aunt Doris affectionately called “Lady Ann”. I must say how fortunate I am to be given the gift of her, not because we are blood relatives, but because of who she is; the morning greetings, the midday trivia, and best of all, the night laughter before we say good night. Now, I’m the one saying good night to my sweet Elva forever. My heart has not processed that I will no longer get a call from her, and when I’m down, if I call her, she will not pick up.

I know her life will never be lost because of the love that was shared by all. If anyone asked me about my dear sweet girl, “Has Elva touched your life for the greater good?”, my reply would be, “Is the Pope Catholic?”. Gone but never forgotten; so take your rest, sleep well Lady Ann, and I’ll see you soon.