There are truly no words that convey how much Aunt Sherri will be missed. She was a pivotal part of my childhood. Whether it be just dinner at their house, going swimming, watching a parade, enjoying one of the kids’ many sports games (I can still hear her screaming “3 up,3 down!!!”) or taking us on one of their vacations, Aunt Sherri (and Uncle Dan) always made us feel included. You never really know how someone can impact your life until you grow up and are in their shoes. For me, it was when I became a mom. The first time I told my oldest to “wash all your cracks and crevices”, I laughed as I recalled the story where Aunt Sherri would say, “The first time I told you to wash all your cracks and crevices, you asked, ‘Aunt Sherri…what’s a crevice???’ ” in her best little girl voice. It was always so funny. As a mother, we look forward to certain things. One of the biggest things I couldn’t wait for was for my girls’ hair to grow out so I could give them the infamous ‘Aunt Sherri hairdo’. The first time I was able to do their hair in the hairstyle, I couldn’t wait to text Aunt Sherri to show her I finally got to do it. Of course, she always loved it. This may not seem like a huge thing, but it was just one of things Aunt Sherri would do that made us feel so special. Even though it’s a simple hairstyle, she made it seem like it was meant just for us (Jen and I). She called all the girls “sissy” and all the boys “bubba” ...something I have always done since. I have always dreamed my forever home would be in a cul-de-sac for no other reason than to be like her so I could tell my kids not to go past the last mailbox. I remember when we were younger, we would go one house past it and feel so sneaky because she didn’t notice (hahaha). I still don’t actually know at what age she would finally let us because even as I turned 17, it just felt wrong being past the line.
I honestly do not have many memories of my childhood that doesn’t include Aunt Sherri in it. She was the biggest role model I had growing up. She always made sure everyone was having fun. She would get the special toys out of the closet for us to play with. She taught us how to talk through the vents. She sang with us, let us have popcorn movie nights in the living room and watched us grow up. I lived with her my senior year, where she basically taught me how to be an adult and everything that went with it. I owe so much to her for that experience alone.
Being older than my cousins, I was able to have the experience to watch how she showed nothing but love, patience and understanding to all her children. I know she passed on the same to her grandchildren. She loved fiercely and is so proud of her children, their accomplishments and their families. May she rest peacefully and know the impact she made.
I love you Aunt Sherri 💕
