FIVE SHORT YEARS

 Five years ago today, I lost my best friend/sister, Shannette Perkins Elijah.  She was an amazing person and a loving mother.  We had a friendship that began when we were 9 years old and will last eternally.  Our friendship is a great example of many of the things that I speak on all the time.  We didn't always agree on things and there were times when we would argue and/or get mad with one another.  However, we never loved one another any less.  The were periods when we were too busy to talk to each other on a daily basis but when we did it was as if nothing had changed.  There was never a time that she needed me that I didn't come to her aid and vice versa.  We loved one another and no matter what happened we knew that and we always let that guide our friendship.  We have fun together, there was never a dull moment and there was never any jealousy or competition.  We never felt indifferent about friends that we obtained along the way because we knew that nothing would ever come between what she and I shared and even in death, this holds true.  I have other friends whom I love with all my heart and consider my sisters but she remains.  It is so amazing to me that after 5 years, it still hasn't got any easier.  I still miss her and think about her almost every day.  I guess that is because I carry her every where I go in my heart.....  I had to learn to forgive those that I felt hurt and disrespected her because that is what pleases God and if I want to see her again, I must do what pleases Him.  I have stopped mourning her death and started celebrating her life because she lived a full and wonderful life.  She left behind two precious children and it is partially my job to make sure they know what a beautiful, fun-loving person their mother was.  We are all born to die and nothing happens that He doesn't want to happen and God's will is so much greater then our desires.   I think God for placing her in all of our lives and allowing her light to shine upon us.  We are all given a gifts from God, the  first of those is the gift of life but we all have an individual gift as well.  For those of us who are blessed enough to be parents, this is another gift and it gives to the world.  She used her gifts and gave two gifts to the world, her mission was complete..............

Shannette's life and story is a great example of why you should never take the people you love for granted.  Some one that she loved and that I know loved her took her for granted, and they were never able to personally make things right.  Now they are haunted with that on a daily basis.  I know how that feels in a sense because at the time of her death she and I weren't speaking either.  However, there wasn't any wrong doing on either of our part just a difference of opinion, but it is still painful.  I think that a lot of times people do things under the assumption that they will do the right thing later but there are times when later never comes.  Then what?  How do you apologize to someone who is no longer capable of physically accepting it?  How do you find peace and know that all is forgiven?  God can give you peace in any situation but you have to be willing to see your faults and ask for forgiveness.  However, it is much easier than that, Just be mindful of the things that you do.  When you love a person never take them for granted.  Never neglect to tell them how you feel today.  Make sure that they know that you love them in spite of....... and not because of!!!!  If we build strong foundations in our relationship nothing, not even us can tear them down.