Cousin Rosie
We lost Cousin Rose this week; The world is a bit grayer as a result. Cousin Rose, or Rosie to intimates, graced the lives of those within her sphere for eight decades with kind words, compassionate acts, and a million-dollar smile that could light up a room with its sincerity.
Cousin Rosie raised five children of her own and had a significant role in the rearing of several more, a young B2 among them. I know from personal experience that she was patient and tolerant of foolishness. When pushed or tested beyond a certain point, however, Rosie could be quick to anger as only matriarchs can, yet she was just as quick to forgive, quick to hug, quick to forget and move on.
You are known by your company
Some of my happiest childhood remembrances occurred in her company. She, Cousin Josephine, and my mother were best of friends and spent a great deal of time together, as did their spouses and children. Unlike today, family members of that era routinely socialized; Our extended family was no different and it was rare indeed to forego social or spiritual interaction with grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, or grandchildren for more than a week. For brevity's sake, let me simply state that Cousin Rosie was a significantly positive influence during my developmental years.
I spent a goodly amount of time at her house, and can still smell the chemicals from Rosie's home-based hair salon she operated on her fully-enclosed front porch. I remember the huge, gray, beehive hair dryers and how her customers used to tease my cousins and I when we passed through. I clearly recall the wonderful meals eaten there, watching our older relatives at the weekly family poker wars, playing myriad foolish games and pranks with my cousins, tormenting the younger children, being tormented by the elder, and experiencing all of the love that manifested itself in the strange ways that only large families seem to generate.
The person within shines through
Life was not idyllic for Cousin Rosie, nor was she perfect. As is so often the case in families, miscommunication and willful personalities caused contentious relations with her children. Her husband lost his sight late in life and with it his self-reliance and, ultimately, his spirit. The family also contended with many of the everyday setbacks that try all of our families each day, all of the things that test our faith and our resilience.
Yet Rosie's innate goodness manifested itself in her ability to persevere without bitterness or rancor, as well as in her capacity to focus on the good rather than the bad. This is no small accomplishment for anyone.
It is important for each of us to experience people in our lives who, by their moral and virtuous examples, influence in positive ways. Such people are not common and therefore our time spent with them must be treasured, even if it can only be accomplished in memory.
My Cousin Rosie was such a person, and I thank God she was allowed to share a part of herself with me - I am a better person for it.