In Loving Memory

Today's post is dedicated to an amazing woman who I have been priviledged to know. Yesterday my cousin Adela lost her long battle with cancer and leaves behind an incredible husband and 3 beautiful daughters. I feel really sad not to be able to be in Cape Town to offer my support and condolensces to the family, but at the same time I am comforted that I can offer the most valuable thing of all... prayers to the Almighty.

As sad as her passing is I feel I want to celebrate the beauty of her life. When my sister and I were still very young, Adela often used to babysit us. I remember her always having such a joy and love for life and love. She used to love singing Michael Bolton songs at the top of her lungs while sweeping the house and always made the most amazing teeny little clothes for my Cindy doll. Adela and her sisters used to put on little plays for all the younger cousins with props and costumes and everything. And I remember for my 6th birthday I had a huge bash and of all the cool gifts I got the one I always remember the fondest was the 2 little sock puppets she and her sisters made and gave me in decorated shoe box.

Adela also had incredible poise and style. I was one of her bridesmaids when she got married and as a teenager then, always admired her keen sense of style and class. I also always admired her tenacity and confidence in her abilities. She was the kind of person that could walk into any job interview and get the job.

But they always say that true character is only revealed in times of hardship, and if that's the case then Adela was a true beacon of hope and strength and inspiration. I can't even begin to imagine how tough these past years must have been for her and her family, and unless you have been through it yourself, nobody can. But through every obstacle, through every challenge Adela kept looking forward.

Living far away I didn't get to spend much of her last years with her, but I am so grateful that I was able to visit her recently even if it was just for a very brief time.

So I would like to honour Adela's memory by also rememberring all the other loved ones lost to cancer and all those still fighting on. And a special prayer to all those families who do the incredibly difficult task of being there with such unwaivering support. These are the people who are a true testament to the Almighty and His creation of the human spirit. All praise be to Allah and may He grant her Janaatul-Firdous (the highest heaven) Insha-allah.