alma

by Melody Rose

They say the ebb and flow of time can heal all. But here I am still missing you. I hold onto the beautiful moments and also onto the moments where I learned you were my real-life hero. Alma: means soul in my native tongue. The most beautiful soul, my tia, my auntie, no longer with me on this earth. I remember the time you took me skiing for the first time, before you got sick. You taught me that fearless does not mean the absence of fear, but rather taking steps forward despite the fear. As you held my hand, overlooking an endless sea of ponderosa pines, you said, “together, every step.” I know you were just trying to get me to try something new, but it felt like a promise, and trusting you’d keep it was easy. At every chemo appointment we went to together, I always brought you red vines and you’d hug me like it was the best gift ever. No matter the day, no matter the time, no matter how awful you felt, you approached the world with an openness and wonder. I watched as you asked the nurse how her daughter was doing, somehow remembering the details like what college her daughter was attending and what her name was. I sometimes wondered how you were real, how could someone be so beautiful? They say the ebb and flow of time can heal all. But here I am still missing you. 

Melody Rose’s passion is teaching and empowering others by sharing what she has learned. She helped launch an arts and crafts program at a children's hospital and also taught at San Quentin State Prison. Melody hopes to inspire youth to explore and expand their creativity through web development, writing, and art.