Hannah Dale, 4 Nov 2005
In my English class a few weeks ago, we were assigned a paper in English about something that changed us, either in a big or small way.
I decided to write my paper on Charlotte.
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One week before my Bat Mitzvah, there was a death in my family.
It was a death that changed me internally - the death became a part of
me as I went on with life.
My cousin Charlotte was a wonderful person. She was the kind of person whom I would always look forward to seeing- seeing what she would do, say, and wear. Charlotte was someone to whom I would instantly warm.
She was a loving mother and wife - as well as sister, daughter, aunt and cousin. But most importantly, she was everyone’s friend. She passed away on May 19th 2005.
On my recent summer visit to England, my family and I visited Charlotte’s grave. Instantly all my memories of Charlotte came flooding back. Memories of her at a family wedding in Scotland, and another wedding in Sweden.
I think the beginning of missing Charlotte has just started. As time goes on, and as the shock has subsided, I will really start to remember all the memories I had with her - the jokes she shared with everyone, as well as the stories.
One memory I love of her and me, is of the two of us, in Sweden, going back to her hotel room just to talk, and enjoy each other’s, her son’s and her husband’s company.
But it’s not all about what I lost when Charlotte died, its about what she left with me - memories, love, and friendship.
And those things are what changed me… how I get over death, accept life, and deal with anything else that comes my way, good or bad.