There is a saying, “Life is short, and every memory is precious.” I will begin by saying that she has always been a huge part of my family, largely because I grew up with her living under the same roof. As I think back on the time we shared, it's not just one moment but many moments and conversations. For me, those moments and conversations occurred during what I would consider the most important time in a young man’s life—before graduating high school and entering the world. During this period of growth, I would wander back home at all hours of the night, and the one person always awake would be my Auntie Geri. She was always kind and warm, and in true “Auntie Geri fashion,” she’d be ready to cook me an egg to add to the meal on the stove. Regardless of my reckless behavior or attitude, she was constant and without judgment. We would simply talk about things that happened during the day, plans for the next day, or discuss what I did to upset my dad. I honestly believe that she knew lending an ear was all I needed. I am not saying she wasn’t human—those who knew her would know she was stubborn to the bone—but what I am saying is that her role in my life helped guide me to make the decisions that led me to where I am today. If I could have one last conversation with her, I would simply start by saying thank you and ask, “How was your day?”