A Valued Person Poem by RoseAnn V. Shawiak

Blueness of this silent soul rolls over, flowing from
sorrowful eyes.

Death again has taken someone I dearly love, a second
mother, a tender woman whom I've always known as Aunt
and Godmother.

Loving her with an undefiled heart, she has always lit
up my life with her words of wisdom.

Offering advice, telling me to keep busy, don't let the
grass grow under my feet or I will die inside.

Being there whenever I needed a friend to love and under-
stand me, even when no one else would.

Refusing to let life get her down as she fought for five
and a half years a courageous losing battle of breast
cancer.

Never giving up, always smiling and saying 'God Bless'
to everyone, a tiny little woman with a heart so big
and expansive that she had time for all those who had
no time to visit her.

Pulling children and other cancer patients out of them-
selves with her joyful humor, giving them the light of
courage to bravely fight on.

Never complaining, even though wracked with pain, living
life, husband dying, becoming a widow, finally winning
a gentle freedom for two years.

Doing what she dearly loved to do, volunteer in a hospital
where once I was born.

A valued person in every aspect of her life, going on
alone yet never lonely.

Joining a Senior Citizens Club, becoming a Senior Rockette
dancing her heart out like she should have been able to do
when younger, but she was always working then.

At church she was a regular and everyone enjoyed her
company, singing soprano in the choir, uplifting her soul
to the very gates of heaven.

At home playing Chopin, my favorite, on her piano, or
strumming guitar and playing her violin, with a heart of
gold.

Belonging to the Rosary Society and Rosarians, keeping the
Blessed Mother always in the foreground with the Sacred
Heart of Jesus.

Statues placed all around her apartment for hope, to pray
and not lose courage.

Aunt Mary, a source of love and hope in the midst of
cancer's despair, bringing light and life into others other-
wise joyless lives.

A little Saint, a wonderful Godmother and Aunt, this poem
a tribute to one I loved so dearly and will miss intensely
the rest of my sorrowful life now that she has gone from
this world.