This Is Not A Eulogy

I'm sorry, I haven't posted in a few weeks and having read the title of this post I'm sure you can guess why.

This post is not about dealing with the death of a loved one or how to tell an HFA child about the death of their Great Grandmama. That decision has been put on hold until the subject becomes unavoidable. Childhood is the kingdom where no one dies, and all that. This post is also not a eulogy for my Grandmother. Instead, I'd like to write about why I named my daughter after my aunt and grandmother.

First my Aunty Lily, who took me in as a very damaged girl and showed me what it was to love oneself. I found her fascinating, she was bold and energetic and lovely. To list all of her accomplishments would make this post far too long so instead I will tell you that my daughter is named after her because she was unafraid to live in a way that I had never seen before. She enjoyed life in a way that I will always envy. She was everything I wanted to be and am trying to become. If my Tigerlily turns out to be half the woman she was, that will mean she is truly living.

Secondly, my daughter bears my grandmothers name as a testament to her. My Grandmama was the matriarch. She was beautiful and had her own sense of style. Madame Bijou (jewellery lady) she enjoyed the finer things in life unashamedly. She loved a party and made undrinkable margaritas. She also loved her family with such fierce devotion that my father referred to her as the Dragon Lady forever,after he divorced my mother. She was unique,  and confident of her place in the world. I wish my daughter to be just as sure of herself and her place in the world that she too will feel free to be known to all as the person she really is and to love others for who they really are faults and all.

The High Functioning Life, this is not a eulogy, it's a hope and a prayer.

HFL Mama