Tribute To Ms.Brenda

God puts people in everyone's life for a reason. Ms.Brenda was put in mine to help save my life. I met her when I was in 2nd grade and had just moved to Alexandria from Arlington. My mom needed a caretaker for me after school since both her and my dad had very busy work schedules and Ms.Brenda was who decided to watch me. When I met Ms.Brenda I had never experienced anyone like her. She was in her late forties and unlike anyone else, she treated me as her own always making it a point to include me in any activities she had prepared for her grandchildren. I soon became very fond of her. When I first started going to her house I was very shy and timid. Coming from a background in which I have a Muslim dad, I generally always had to watch what I said and did which made me hold back when it came to my personality. With time, and by time i mean years, I was able to grow into my own skin and feel more confident about myself. Ms.Brenda always made me feel comfortable and I could always count on her to have my back in any situation, even with my parents. To be honest for a big part of my life she pretty much was my parent. I spent more time with her then I did with my own.

I can't say I've that there are too many people in this world that would go through the lengths that Ms.Brenda did for me. When my mom and I were homeless for a few months she took us in with open arms and didn't ask for a single thing in return. When I would get into any trouble at home or school she was always the first to calm my mom down so that the consequence wouldn't be as bad for me. She took me to get enrolled in swimming classes and taught me how to play almost every board game in the books. The first Christmas that my parents were divorced she made each of them go above and beyond for me just so I felt like it was still Christmas. Before her, I didn't even watch football and she was able to turn me into the Redskins fan that I am today. When I was going down the wrong path she was always the one motivating me and telling me how great I could be. She never doubted my ability to achieve any and everything that I wanted to accomplish. 

Ms.Brenda is currently in the hospital. She had a stroke that unfortunately took her ability to speak and caused her memory to become vague. When I walked into that hospital room I didn't see Ms.Brenda. The lively, strong woman that raised me all those years was not who was in that hospital bed. Instead she was replaced by a weak and overly exhausted elderly lady hooked up to endless tubes. The sight broke my heart and I instantly started crying. Right there in front of me was the woman who helped save my life and now when the tables were turned and she needed saving there was nothing I could do about it. My mom and I sat there for a while trying to make small conversation with her but after about fifteen minutes you could see she was getting tired again. Before we left I hugged her and told her I loved her. She looked at me and I knew exactly what she was saying without even speaking.

I don't know if that was the last time I will see Ms.Brenda or not. But I wanted to write this post in tribute to her because she is an amazing woman and she deserves for the world to know that she left her mark on me and many others. Her ability to change my life the way she did is deserving of recognition. With that said, this is for you Ms.Brenda. Thank you for everything you have ever done for me. I love you and I will continue to keep you in my heart and prayers. <3