The name Belinda means “beautiful.†My beloved cousin Belinda lived up to her name. She was beautiful on the inside and the outside. She had such a beautiful quiet and calming spirit and presence. Today we celebrate your beautiful life and mourn your physical death. I thank God for blessing me with all the great times we shared growing up on the same block in East Chicago Heights. Now you have joined family members who finished the race of life before you – our grandparents – Alafair and Sam; your parents who are my Uncle Earl and Aunt Carrie, many cousins, and others who are in the lane of “no more.†No more sickness, no more pain, no more hospitals, no more diseases, no more heartaches. Your passing leaves a great void in the lives of your children, grandchildren, siblings, other relatives, and friends. While your physical death leaves a heartache no one can heal, one thing that will never die are the beautiful memories you leave behind. I pray that in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead that the kindness and love you brought into our lives soften some of the pain everyone is feeling and bring smiles to our faces and joy in our heart just because we were blessed to have you in our lives. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this season of grief.With deepest sympathy,Cousin Charlotte Brookins-Hudson (Washington, DC)
