Raelyn Munneke
The first memory that comes to mind is upon Stacey arriving to Yale Avenue Christian Church one day. Being her younger cousin, I spotted her and I start running full speed. She opens her arms wide and I jump in for a leaping hug with arms and legs wrapped around. A traditional greeting of ours as young girls.
She could easily hang with the rowdy boys of our fam and hold her own, but she also had a huge heart and care for me as the youngest and the only other girl. We could do the rough and tumble or the frills and fancy.
One night she babysat me and another friend and came up with the idea to watch The Little Mermaid while each of us act out and sing the whole movie. Best babysitter ever. I think of playing the board game Girl Talk or reading The Babysitters Club with her. She was that older cousin that often gave me a peek into something new and had a heart to look up to. Too many memories flood the heart, but so thankful for each one.
