My beautiful, warm, funny cousin Kolu passed away about a month ago. It's been a difficult grieving processes for me. Not only was Kolu very young, and left behind a teenage daughter and 20 year old son, but she also left behind a fiancé. She passed away just 3 weeks before she was supposed to be married.
I also found it difficult to grieve because there was no formal service where everyone who loved her got together and cried. A week after she passed, we did get together to remember her, and her mom, sister, and fiancé (Zach) all gave little speeches. We hung out at her farm. We saw her wedding dress. We watched as they tried to round up two of her pigs that Zach couldn't bear to keep anymore.
Last weekend we went to Rochester for an open house at her mom's house where friends and family gathered once more to celebrate her life. I was chasing after 3 kids, so it was a little different experience for me. But that evening, after everyone left we drove to Lake Ontario and set off Chinese Lanterns that we all took time to decorate and put messages on for Kolu.
Hamlin Beach
Finding the perfect spot
Lovely Allasha
Katie and Nick
Allasha & Emmon (and Alice)
Family, and Kolu's childhood vocal teacher
My lantern (heart drawing by Ethan)
Getting the lanterns ready
Lighting the first one
Goodbye Kolu. I will love you always. You have left a piece of you in everyone who met you. Your voice, your spirit, your laughter will always be in my memory.
The next morning, we went to church. The family sang Amazing Grace together and, of course, Donna Nobis Pacem (Give Us Peace). And that's what I'm hoping for. Peace - to know Kolu is in a better place, that her kids will not feel the hurt of losing their mother forever, and that her friends and family will forever be blessed for having known her.
After church was brunch at Hawley's, then we headed home!
