Last month my younger brother died. It was devastating for me. It still is. I am a lucky woman to have the family I do. While everyone in my home were fantastic, my daughter sticks out. When I made the decision to go back to the states- with much urging from my older brother- I decided to take my daughter. Why? She's funny and honest.
When we boarded the airplane, she was so excited. Not nervous about anything. She's 4, and never flew so I am not that surprised. However, as soon as the plane took off, taxied the runway preparing for take-off she was ecstatic! When were wheels up, she was screaming excitedly like she was on a roller coaster. It made me feel more at ease, because I was laughing so hard!
As most of you may know, my husband is white and I am black. Doesn't matter yeah? Well, I told her we were meeting her grandparents at the airport in Baltimore. So once we landed there from New York, she was asking every white elderly man if they were her grandfather. I didn't think much of it until she met my father. I told her who he was and she was silent for a few minutes. Then she finally said, "you're black?' Too funny. I told her that I am black so my parents will be, too. She might have thought since she's black and has a white father, she maybe thought my father would be white, who knows. Her brain is a funny one!
She took to her family like she's known them all of her life. Everyone loved her because she genuinely loved everyone from first sight. It was a joy and helped us not think about why exactly we were all there for.
Mawa and Grandpa
4 generations
Amara and grandma
Being home for me was very emotional. I was reunited with my brothers and sister after nearly a decade of being apart. I wanted this, but not like this. But I am not going to go there, maybe in another post. Right now it's about my lil curly sue.
The day before the funeral, my daughter asked to go to Chuckee Cheese's. I told her that we couldn't because we had to say goodbye to her uncle. She went over the process, and thought he'd come back and dance with us like the zombies did in the Thriller video from Michael Jackson. It was so random it made laugh out loud in Walmart.
My daughter dancing to the music in her head....lol
After we've been home in Germany for a week or more, I had a huge breakdown.
She looked at me kind of like she was annoyed and said, "Are you still sad about your bruhvah (brother)"
I said, "yes, I am."
She said, "don't worry mom, I'm yo best fwiend." And gave me a big hug and kiss. It really helped me feel better almost instantly. Like my brother had her be there for me right at that moment.
I miss him immensely and I don't know if or when I will be OK. But with my babygirl and my family around. I know I will not be down for long.
Yesterday we watched the A Christmas Story. As soon as we saw a pole on our walk, this is what she does. I love her randomness....it's disgusting sometimes, but mostly funny!
Kiss your family and squash any unnecessary drama you have between family members NOW. Life is way too short.
Thank you for reading!

My heart aches for you :( My thoughts and prayers are with you. Your daughter is such a sweetheart <3
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss....
ReplyDeleteWe build so many walls as we grow older...I LOVE the innocence and honesty from children.
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. A mixed bag of emotions.
ReplyDeleteIt must be so hard for you, Sommer. But, as you said: you have your Curly Sue and her brothers.
She is a sweetheart and I hope to get to see her and you once more - maybe next year.
A beautiful tribute that Mawa will love when she can read it herself.
Amara reminds me so much of my Liv! Not a day goes by that isn't made better by her. She also dances to that same music and simply lives live happily, each and every day. I guess that's why God gave us these little ones, they help us though the hard times. Hang in there my friend...
ReplyDeleteMy heart has been sad for you. I saw your posts on FB. I know you are stong and that each day will get easier, it's okay though to have days where you do nothing but cry and be angry. You have a true gift in that Curly Sue. Wishing you and your family much love in such a hard time.
ReplyDelete-Gina-
Sommer, I had no idea about your loss. I missed that completely. My thoughts are with you and your family.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was looking at your photos, I thought that, "Wow, is Sommer back in the States?" Now we know why.
Thank you for sharing this with us. Made me laugh; made me cry.
So sorry for your loss. Your daughter is amazing. Mommy's little best friend.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteSuch an apposite post at this time of year when families so often fall out over stupid things. Your daughter is a perhaps a real little angel.
From the photo, I get that your handsome brother was a dedicated man, may he rest in peace.
((((Susan))))
Hi Sommer, I'm very sorry for your loss. Your post is extremely moving. You are blessed to have such a wonderful family and such a sweetheart of a little girl! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteSommer, I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending positive and healing thoughts your way as you try to cope during this difficult time. I'm glad you have your beautiful Curly Sue to spread good cheer and love so you can keep smiling. As I read your post I was choked up and smiling at the same time from your stories of Amara. Please hang in there.
ReplyDelete(I tried to send a comment from my phone but I don't think it worked. Sorry for duplicate if it came through!)
So sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and the family. Thankfully you were able to spend time with family and that your daughter was there for you. So sweet. Take care.
ReplyDeletei am so sorry to hear of your loss. so happy to know that you have your family and your sweet daughter to get you through this difficult time. family is so important and treasuring them everyday should be priority.
ReplyDeletethinking of you.
Oh Sommer. Oh. I can hardly think of what to write. I am so sorry for the loss of your young, handsome brother. And I am so happy that you have such a beautiful, happy, life-loving daughter. The part of her surprise that your parents were black...priceless. I never would have thought that she wouldn't realize...but of course, she's only 4 and lives so far away from them, it really makes sense.
ReplyDeleteSommer, I was so so sorry to hear about your brother on Facebook. It sounds like he was an amazing brother...and man! Love that babygirl of yours...sometimes kids can do the most wonderous things to heal our aching hearts. Be kind to yourself...grief is a process. Let yourself feel what you feel...thinking of you in Texas!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, Sommer. Sending you love and prayers. What a precious lil girl u have.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for your loss. I'm glad your little one is there by your side. She's beautiful and has a lovely spirit.
ReplyDeleteAlmost cried reading this. Sorry again for your loss. The innocence of children is definitely amusing because they will say anything at any time to anyone. Most of us wish we had an excuse to still do that. You will continue to have up and down days, but as your daughter said, she loves you, your husband and son love you, your extended family loves you, and your friends love you. That's helpful in itself. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI feel your loss, my sister died earlier this year and it is like living in hell, I miss her so much.
ReplyDeleteBut like you its the kids who get me through - they are our hope and reason for getting up every morning.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
(so funny on her thinking that your Dad would be white!)
Hi there Sommer,
ReplyDeleteI loved this read with laugter and sighs and loved the bit about Mawa meeting her grandpa. I'm glad that you spent some quality time with your US family and I understand coming home so flat. Chin-up kiddo!
May the soul of your brother rest in peace. I hope you can continue to take comfort in your sweet daughter's precious ways of keeping your spirits up.
ReplyDeleteYou already know how sorry I am for your loss, so I just wanted to say how wonderful this post is. I am crying and laughing at the same time. Your daughter is just precious!
ReplyDeleteMuch love and hugs
I am sorry for your loss, but I am glad you have such a lovely daughter and family to help you through.
ReplyDeleteA big hug
I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your brother and I'm sorry your family had to come together for such a sad reason. But your family is beautiful and there looks like a lot of love, and I bet it was great to see them. I'm so glad you've got your little Mawa... children can be our saving grace sometimes. I hope the days get easier for you. Hugs to you and your family!
ReplyDelete