Dear Mama,

Words cannot express how dull the world seems without your shine. You brightened any and every room you entered with your big, bright, beautiful warm smile. I could talk to you for hours, enjoying your stories especially when I came over after visiting Grandma Marie. I can still hear you now saying how she makes the nicest Belizean Creole bread. It still feels as if you have gone too soon, but I know you are happier now. You have been reunited with Papa (continuing those 53 years together after eleven years apart) and could dance "Tiney Winey" in Heaven.

It's beautiful to have a special song that holds sentimental value for my great-grandparents. "Tiney Winey" is a popular calypso song by Byron Lee and the Dragonaires. Music has a unique ability to evoke emotions and memories, and now this song plays a significant role in remembering my great-grandparents' lives.

Now, anytime I hear it, I refer to it as "their song" and a symbol of the shared joy and love they have for one another. Such cherished memories through music can serve as a powerful reminder of the enduring connections formed through the universal language of melody and rhythm.

Even though, the loss of Mama leaves a void in my heart, I know she is always watching over me. The desire for her presence as I navigate life's milestones and experiences will never diminish, but now her presence is more spiritual/mental.

It can be a source of comfort, providing a sense of guidance and a feeling that she and Papa are still a part of my journey, even if not physically present. In those moments when I wish she could witness the beauty and challenges of life, the memories I shared with her can serve as a lasting connection, and the love and wisdom she imparted continue to shape the person I am becoming. Thankfully, the bond I have shared with my great grandparents transcends the boundaries of time and space, and their influence remains alive in the moments I carry forward.

Mama, you always said you do not worry because you’re God’s child and I thank you for instilling the importance of religion and faith to all of us. As you said, “I love you and will see you all in Heaven.”

Psalms 23:

Love always,

your great granddaughter, Diana