More Than An Aunt - Tribute to Pamela Williams

My aunt was honored at an appreciation service at her church. I was asked to say a few words on the topic "More Than An Aunt". Below are the words I shared.

Good afternoon. It's great to be here to honor Pamela Williams, who I affectionately refer to as Aunt Pam. She is my aunt in title, but she is much more than an aunt.

During my life, my aunt has been many things to me. At times, she was my comic relief helping me to be okay with laughing at myself and to not take things in life so seriously. At times, she became the voice of my many thoughts that were too embarrassing for me to say around my mother. Often times, she was my source of confidence that I could talk to her about anything knowing that I would be respected for my individuality and my privacy protected. She became many things that I needed throughout my life at the very moment I needed them.

Five years ago, I lost my mother. It was at that point she became even more to me. That morning it was important for her to let me know everything that was going on with my mother. Even with everything going on around her, she had the presence of mind to stay calm despite me becoming increasingly hysterical with every call. At that point, I saw her as my beacon of peace. As the week of funeral planning went along, there wasn't a lot of time for grieving. I can remember one specific moment during the funeral where she became overwhelming. She leaned on me, and I could feel the weight of her emotions baring down. In that moment, I realized she was my reminder of strength and purpose that I carried within me. So after the services ended and we laid my mother to her final resting place, my aunt hugged me and said to me "you are not without a mother; you are my child now". That told me that she would not only be my aunt but also an extension from where my mom left off.

In closing, I am privileged to be a part of honoring my aunt Pam today. I am thankful for having such an amazing aunt, but I am absolutely blessed beyond measure that you are so much more than an aunt.