Tonya, my sister.
Tonya.
I’m at a loss. What a beautiful soul. You gifted us so much love, so much laughter, so much PURE joy. I can’t recall a time in almost 20 years where you even hurt my feelings once-because you just knew how to care for everyone around you. I miss you.
You were my sister. I loved you the moment I met you. I am so grateful for you because your presence brought out a side of my brother that I had never seen until you came along. I’ve watched my brother open up and unfold in such incredible ways. How can I ever repay you for that? I should have conveyed that when I had the chance. I’m sorry Tonya.
Our family will never be whole again. Disney trips won’t be the same. Thanksgiving or Christmas when you visited will be less fun. You brought something to us that is irreplaceable. Tonight I look at my pink Christmas tree and I think of you because you bought it for us. You lit up everything around you. You are here with me tonight, in that silly, over the top pink Christmas tree.
I carry dear to my heart your laughter, your ability to find the humor in literally everything, your big personality and reactions to all the things. I already miss it so much. I just want to tell you a mediocre joke because your reaction always made me think it was a 10/10 joke.
Tonya, let’s never forget this: you asked me, quite matter of fact (years ago), if I liked Tom Petty obviously expecting me to say I love him! I sheepishly said “he’s ok” And you were HORRFIED!!!! You looked at me and said “WWWWWWHAT!!!!??” And for years, until the end, you always gave me shit for my initial response. And it became a bit between us that I couldn’t quite ever escape. God you were so funny. Today, when I said goodbye, my last words were “I will listen to Tom Petty…finally! I love you.” Because I truly know that would tickle you. And it’s all I’ve been listening to Tonya. And I keep thinking about the song “Learning to Fly” by the man himself.
I love you Tonya. Let us not forget grandma actually called you “Tonka”.
Thank you for literally everything. We didn’t have you long enough, but what we had was amazing and I’m so lucky to call you my sister.
Rest easy. Rest with all this love. Rest.
I’m at a loss. What a beautiful soul. You gifted us so much love, so much laughter, so much PURE joy. I can’t recall a time in almost 20 years where you even hurt my feelings once-because you just knew how to care for everyone around you. I miss you.
You were my sister. I loved you the moment I met you. I am so grateful for you because your presence brought out a side of my brother that I had never seen until you came along. I’ve watched my brother open up and unfold in such incredible ways. How can I ever repay you for that? I should have conveyed that when I had the chance. I’m sorry Tonya.
Our family will never be whole again. Disney trips won’t be the same. Thanksgiving or Christmas when you visited will be less fun. You brought something to us that is irreplaceable. Tonight I look at my pink Christmas tree and I think of you because you bought it for us. You lit up everything around you. You are here with me tonight, in that silly, over the top pink Christmas tree.
I carry dear to my heart your laughter, your ability to find the humor in literally everything, your big personality and reactions to all the things. I already miss it so much. I just want to tell you a mediocre joke because your reaction always made me think it was a 10/10 joke.
Tonya, let’s never forget this: you asked me, quite matter of fact (years ago), if I liked Tom Petty obviously expecting me to say I love him! I sheepishly said “he’s ok” And you were HORRFIED!!!! You looked at me and said “WWWWWWHAT!!!!??” And for years, until the end, you always gave me shit for my initial response. And it became a bit between us that I couldn’t quite ever escape. God you were so funny. Today, when I said goodbye, my last words were “I will listen to Tom Petty…finally! I love you.” Because I truly know that would tickle you. And it’s all I’ve been listening to Tonya. And I keep thinking about the song “Learning to Fly” by the man himself.
I love you Tonya. Let us not forget grandma actually called you “Tonka”.
Thank you for literally everything. We didn’t have you long enough, but what we had was amazing and I’m so lucky to call you my sister.
Rest easy. Rest with all this love. Rest.