Remembering My Sister, Kenitra Covington Jordan
In my heart to say to you…
Dear Sis,
The sun
shines, and purple reigns, and the yellow butterflies are flitting. In this
space in my heart you will forever live, with memories of your infinite
devotion and love for Tommy and Matthew. Baking cookies and fun treats with
Matthew and "Big Blue", Tommy sneaking them away with such feigned
innocence, you paying careful attention to all things, anything that Matt Man
might be allergic to, me imagining the delicious smells and the joy and love
that filled your beautiful home. I smile when I think of the seafood salad,
your creation, misappropriated by Tommy so that he is the potluck king with the
bomb-diggety seafood salad at the family gatherings. When I think of all of
these moments, I will smile fondly and broadly. "Love divine, love
excelling..."
In this space in my heart you will forever live, on paper in your writing, in our forever conversations on the couch whenever we gathered for family festivities. Oh how I looked forward to talking about school, the students, latest lesson preps, challenges, the power of the purple pen, and teaching Nirvana moments. After I stopped teaching, I continued to stay connected to the classroom through your passion and dedication to your craft and the profession, and for that I love you and thank you, and will cherish the journey forever. I know you and Mommee will continue those talks beyond the clouds, on sunny afternoons while the yellow butterflies frolic among sweet purple blooms of African violets and amethyst wisteria, perfumed scents wafting in and out of your beauty, against a clear blue sky, in "a land that is fairer than day..."
In this space in my heart you will forever live, inspiring me to keep writing, looking to your awesome example of being an accomplished, published author, working, writing, and researching your plot lines in the still of the night, those stolen moments when literary inspiration flows and begins to take shape and form, listening to the lilt of those voices and setting them free for our eyes to enjoy, following and living your ultimate dream. I was so excited to see those letters beside your name, LLC, ready to sail to the top of the charts. I could feel it in my bones. You were poised to blow up big in the publishing world. Eternal Bloom, Washed in His Blood, and all the volumes of mystery yet to unfold as you made your passions come to life... The silence on those pages now is deafening... It. Is. Finished... The finality is piercing. But to be sure, "your living was not in vain..."
In this space in my heart you will forever live, where I see an image of you on your knees, early in the morning, praying with the faith of a mustard seed, asking for God to bless the two of you with a child. That fervent petition was answered with the most beautiful "gift from God", Matthew, Matt Man, Da Mayor, Puff-n-Stuff, The Mighty Matthew... The joy was immeasurable, the love prodigious, the bond unbreakable, a model for love, faith, and charity, the greatest love of all. It is with this faith, strength, love, and devotion that I charge to my brother, heart and soul, to pick up the mantle of those dreams, memories, and goals you planned together, and drape yourself and Matthew in their beauty and truth. Focus on that "faith of a mustard seed" and believe. Call on God to help you face tomorrow. Push forward one day at a time, knowing she is smiling down, encouraging you, loving you, being proud of you, from a place "where there never is an unclouded day..."
In this space in my heart you will forever live, where the sun shines eternally, and purple reigns, and the yellow butterflies are always flitting.
In this space in my heart you will forever live, on paper in your writing, in our forever conversations on the couch whenever we gathered for family festivities. Oh how I looked forward to talking about school, the students, latest lesson preps, challenges, the power of the purple pen, and teaching Nirvana moments. After I stopped teaching, I continued to stay connected to the classroom through your passion and dedication to your craft and the profession, and for that I love you and thank you, and will cherish the journey forever. I know you and Mommee will continue those talks beyond the clouds, on sunny afternoons while the yellow butterflies frolic among sweet purple blooms of African violets and amethyst wisteria, perfumed scents wafting in and out of your beauty, against a clear blue sky, in "a land that is fairer than day..."
In this space in my heart you will forever live, inspiring me to keep writing, looking to your awesome example of being an accomplished, published author, working, writing, and researching your plot lines in the still of the night, those stolen moments when literary inspiration flows and begins to take shape and form, listening to the lilt of those voices and setting them free for our eyes to enjoy, following and living your ultimate dream. I was so excited to see those letters beside your name, LLC, ready to sail to the top of the charts. I could feel it in my bones. You were poised to blow up big in the publishing world. Eternal Bloom, Washed in His Blood, and all the volumes of mystery yet to unfold as you made your passions come to life... The silence on those pages now is deafening... It. Is. Finished... The finality is piercing. But to be sure, "your living was not in vain..."
In this space in my heart you will forever live, where I see an image of you on your knees, early in the morning, praying with the faith of a mustard seed, asking for God to bless the two of you with a child. That fervent petition was answered with the most beautiful "gift from God", Matthew, Matt Man, Da Mayor, Puff-n-Stuff, The Mighty Matthew... The joy was immeasurable, the love prodigious, the bond unbreakable, a model for love, faith, and charity, the greatest love of all. It is with this faith, strength, love, and devotion that I charge to my brother, heart and soul, to pick up the mantle of those dreams, memories, and goals you planned together, and drape yourself and Matthew in their beauty and truth. Focus on that "faith of a mustard seed" and believe. Call on God to help you face tomorrow. Push forward one day at a time, knowing she is smiling down, encouraging you, loving you, being proud of you, from a place "where there never is an unclouded day..."
In this space in my heart you will forever live, where the sun shines eternally, and purple reigns, and the yellow butterflies are always flitting.
"In the sweet, by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore..."
I love you, Sis.
I love you, Sis.
