My Sister Maria

She was such a beautiful and energetic woman. Always reaching out for the stars. Tiny and petite as she was, she managed to capture everyone's heart. her happy spirit was so contagious. Maria was a definite leader. A mother of three who never failed to be there. If you ever wanted to be in anyone's shoes, it would've been hers. No matter what struck, she just fought back like a mighty warrior. She believed in God and all but never really prayed because she said only crybabies run to God. She thought God was only for the weak people. Her mirror yelled out "You're strong Maria!" Before you knew it she was found by a wrong crowd.
Her young spirit always attracted young friends in her life. She was 30 hanging out with 20 year olds. Sad to say she played with drugs. She was a control freak. I always looked up to her because, man, her tinkerbell body dominated everything with no force. Her charm and life giving character just melted anyone. She never imagined drugs controlling her. Then she was so sucked up by drugs and wrong crowds it was like quicksand. One day the inevitable thing happened. She was raped on the roof of a crackhouse. No protection at all. She was infected with the HIV virus. Still, she willingly went to AA meetings, detox, took her medication, worked out, went to church not caring what anyone had to say. She toiled and pushed her way through.
Finally, she had a stroke. Her virus ate up all her immune system like a pacman to the point where she had no physical strength on her left side. She still rocked with her right side. Still worked out, all she could, saying, "Crybaby, I can do it!" Last, but not least, she lost all feeling on her right side. She couldn't move at all. it was then that she cried and said, "Lord, I'm a crybaby now, and I need you." He was there the whole time. I still remember how much she cried out to God not in anger, but in peace knowing that He was there for crybabies. In the whole month she was immobile in the hospital. She was constantly calling the Pastor to come and teach her Bible lessons. She knew her time here on earth was running out. The doctors gave her a week after the second stroke. Ha! She lived three more months after that and learned more of Jesus. I still remember her last words, "As my body dies, my soul will rise. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!" And she cried like a baby.