Dear Gail,
You were more than a neighbor to me; you were a second mother. I survived up until the age of nine because of you. You welcomed me into your home and family with open arms. You and your family planted a seed in me for what a family could be and what love was. I carried this with me throughout my life and emulated your example with my own husband and children many years later. We met by chance, and in my heart, I know that was God's plan. I was blessed each day after our meeting. We lost touch (though you never left my heart or soul) for twenty years because I was worried that connecting with you would make my biological mother upset. This is a fear I got over when I was twenty-eight years old, and I finally knocked on your door. Instantly, I was home and felt nothing but pure comfort and joy. My happy memories during that time of my life were with you. My favorite memories were days we played outside making mud pies or were in your salon playing hairstylist and eating your mom’s lemon meringue pie. Holidays were always better spending them with your family and sharing in your holiday traditions. You included me like I was one of your own children. You brought so much light to my life during a time where so much around me was dim and crumbling. You have done more for me than you could ever know, and I am deeply grateful. You stuck up for me and protected me. You spent hours with my teachers at school to ensure I got an education. When I had tears, you’d comfort me and wiped them away. I loved hanging out in the salon and always felt welcomed by every member of the Mondoux family. I learned so much from you. Because of you, I know what it looks like to truly BE there for someone. You taught me how to treat others and how to love unconditionally. You taught me how to be a part of a healthy family and were a role model and second mother wrapped into one. You accepted me, put up with me, and above all loved me. With your help, I learned how to love myself and how to love my own parents. From your strength, I too learned how to be strong. There are no adequate words to express what you meant to me then and still mean to me now. Thank you doesn’t suffice, but I hope you know from the bottom of my heart how grateful I am to you. Thank you for being you. Without you, I would not be the person I am today. You inspire me in so many ways and to continue to change and become better. If I end up half the woman and mother that you are, I would be so lucky. Those small acts of kindness made such a monumental impact on me. May anyone reading this realize the impact their genuine kindness and love can have on a person’s life. You planted a tiny seed for what my life could be and because of you I had that beacon to carry me forward even in dark times. You didn’t need to make all my problems disappear to make my life better. But your small, loving actions, like buying me a Halloween costume or making space for me in your home, did make my life better. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, but people will never forget how you made them feel” (Maya Angelou) and Gail, I could never forget you. Love your second daughter, Pollyann Until Next Monday…
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AuthorPollyann Keller Archives
December 2023
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