Auntie Jo.

Auntie Jo died last Sunday. She was my grandmother's sister. When you have a family as small as mine, you get to know relatives pretty well. So now you will get to know her.
Auntie Jo and Uncle Dyke moved to South Africa in the 70s... I never got to go visit when she was alive, and I really regret it now. Since the family is in South Africa, she seldom came back to the U.S. In my twenty one years, she visited maybe seven or eight times for an extended period of time. But the times I did get to know her, I cherish now. She was a beautiful lady who always had a small smile that you never really knew if she was being coy or trying to stifle a laugh. When I was younger, we would take drives and go to Yosemite with her. She brought me a small set of wooden African animals and would play with me. These were beautiful times.
When I got older, I think my favorite times were when I'd go out with her when she'd go out for a smoke. We talked about everything. She would ask me about politics, church, my future and the family... always listening intently and asking the right amount of questions. We'd go back and forth asking each other questions, being serious, cracking jokes, and being philosophical. These were my favorite times, and the times I wish to remember. One time we had a particularly interesting conversation about social justice while eating pie. She really liked pie. But I'll never forget her comment: "I think the surefire way to know which people are your equals...are the people you'd invite to eat dinner with you. And anyone is welcome with me." I really enjoyed getting to know Auntie Jo. Whenever she was around, I felt like she had always been there. She just had this warm way about her that made you feel like you mattered. I always felt so comfortable with her around. You know people are great when you feel it when they've left you. I recently heard that you don't take a legacy around with you, but once you leave, it stays alive inside of the people you touched. She left a legacy and will be greatly missed. I love you, Auntie.