DEAR EDITOR:

June 24 was the most devastating, horrific time in my life! I lost my baby girl to cancer. She had fought it for years until she could fight no more! She was 46. I have four daughters, and I always thought that I would go before any of them.

But it was not so. It wasn’t in God’s plan.

Since the death of my baby girl, I have not slept a full night. I hardly eat anything, I move around as if I am a robot doing what I must do, to maintain my daily life. People ask me out of concern, “How do you feel?” I can’t describe this pain and hurt. It is indescribable! It is a different pain than when my mother or anyone whom I loved died. So different! I feel as if a huge part of me is missing, as if I have lost a limb from my body. A part of my heart is missing a piece that should be there. My heart is missing a beat. I would not wish this pain on any other mother.

People have been so kind. Especially my Pastor, Dr. Eric Brown and my York Avenue Church of God family. Fresenius Kidney Group where I have dialysis. Dear friends and even people that I barely know. I thank you!

I saw firsthand how my daughter suffered! I saw how her body was racked with pain! Yet she never complained! … She was more concerned about her six children and me being on dialysis.

I really believe that GOD saw that she had enough suffering and pain and He took her HOME!

I find solace in that! I am proud and thankful that God let me have the honor of being her mother.

I will love my beautiful baby girl for infinity! Every time that I feel like I can cry no more, the tears come back again. They probably will for years to come. I miss my daughter. I love her, but GOD loves her most! I must learn to let go!

Her name is Wakeelah which means “freedom” in Swahili. My baby girl is FREE! Get your well-deserved rest! I believe within my heart that we will see each other one day! You are my hero! You are the wind beneath my wings!

JENNIFER Y. WILLIAMS

Warren