HOW DO YOU SUMMARIZE THE LIFE OF AN AMAZING MOTHER…

sister, wife, friend, but to me an aunt, into a few simple words? It isn’t that I can’t find the words to write, it is more so that I can’t summarize the impact that Aunt Elva had on my life in just a paragraph. Nothing about Aunt Elva’s existence was that simple. She was a pioneer in every aspect of life. Most people knew her as a groundbreaking broadcaster, or for her involvement behind the scenes in politics, but I knew her for her kind heart. When I think of my aunt, I think of love, because she was an embodiment of just that. The amount of love that she poured into me and everyone and everything that she cared about is unmeasurable. When she loved, she loved wholeheartedly. I was her niece, but I have always felt that she loved me like her own child.

Memories of the lovely days I spent in my aunt’s house are countless. One of my earliest memories was of her picking me up from school and making me mac and cheese every day I’d come over because even though I was a picky eater she’d always make exactly what I wanted. And that held true up until last year when I came home and visited her twice. Both times she insisted on making me her amazing stew conch, which she knew was my favorite food, the last time being in November and I had no idea that, that would be the last time that I would ever see or speak to her again.

I want to thank her for believing in me and encouraging me to follow my heart in everything that I do. I also want to thank her for teaching me all about respect because she always had a listening ear and never a judgmental tone, it made it so easy to speak to her. And her words, however complex, or simple, had a way of having a positive impact on every choice you made thereafter. Not only do I idolize her, but I also love her. She was Godly and wise, and fun.

She was loved by many and will be missed by all. I am so grateful that someday I will get to see her again. Love you always Aunt Elva.

Love, Cara Rolle