Deborah Dandy Michaux
My aunt Joyce could step into a room and make heads turn. she was a natural beauty without makeup. when she smiled it was sunshine and when she laughed no one could be sad. She was the light of Uncle Stanley's life and he became a puppy when he was with her. She was my idol, my protector, my teacher, my confidant, my cheerleader and a large part of my heart. One my wedding day she grabbed my hand before I walked down the aisle and said , Look at my baby girl, so beautiful! then she and my mother said at the same time, You know, you don't have to do this if you don' t want to. Run now an we'll take care of your Dad. We'll just have a big party. Just as I started to turn and run Dad appeared and said What are you two girls up to? He took my arm and put me in the kitchen with guards. I heard him say to Aunt Joyce, I knew you and Naz would try to stop her. caught ya! Our last phone, I called and said, "Auntie Shayna" I miss you. She said I miss me, too. this body is awful. How did Naz stand it? We talked for the longest time. As we remenisced. About old times and my sisters I said Aunt Joyce I am sixty-five now. She said in the most gentle loving voice, " I don't care if you are seventy. You will always be MY little girl, My FAVORITE little girl, and I LOVE YOU AND YOUR Uncle Stanley was proud of you and I am so proud of you. You made it in spite of everything. I have to say I made it because of my Aunt Joyce. She never let me fall. Her loving arms were their to catch me and sage advice and kind words put me on my feet again. How blessed I was to have two wonderful mothers. How sick I am to say good-bye to my shared mother. May your memory be eternal, my beloved Aunt Joyce.