I truely miss the morning comics Ceretta always would send the moment she arrived at work. They were always funny and the perfect "perk" i needed to begin my work days. I was saddened to hear of her untimely death. She was such an inspirational person, always, pleasant, cordial and light hearted as a co-worker. I'm sure she is now sending comics to the angels in heaven brightening their days.

Ceretta and I often got to see each other at Birthday parties for the Holt children.  Here we are enjoying a celebration.  This was always a great time to catch up with each other and to love on our kids: Ashley, Robert, and Donovan.

My precious Ceretta was a special gift from God.  We became fast friends when I was awarded a scholarship to work at the Social Security Administration after a successful high school career. I would take breaks from College to work where Ceretta was my mentor.  I know the exact time God appointed her as my sister.  I was in college and was feeling discouraged because I was struggling and had no encouragement from anywhere else about my drive to be in college. Ceretta happened to call me that evening and I could not believe she would care enough about me, as it was a long distance call back then.  Her words of encouragement were so affirming and spoke to me as a whisper of affirmation from God that I was doing the right thing and to stay in school. Ceretta and I refer to it as that "fateful call".  Ater then, there wasn't another day that went by that we didn't at least talk on the phone or visit.

Ceretta was so instrumental in my life in so many ways.  She was a major influence in the rearing of my 3 children.  I remember suggesting to Ceretta that she be the God-parent of my children and she said it wasn't necessary, because she was their aunt - and they refer to her to this day as they their TT.  Ceretta loved the Holt children. And they loved her.  She would come over and they would spend hours reading and laughing at books.  It was a humor that I never got, but she and the kids relished in me being the "outsider".  Looking back, how precious.... Ceretta planted the seed of reading in my children and I will be forever grateful as they are all excelling in top schools in Chicago. She attended my children's recitals and encouraged them in their academics, even made suggestions for discipline.  Ceretta was so wise and so generous with her knowledge.  The Bible says, "seek wise counsel" and Ceretta was that for me. God looked beyond my faults and saw my needs.  He gave me Ceretta. For this I give thanks to God!

There were many weeknights and weekends that we would stay up til 2 and 3 in the morning eating Chinese, listening to Luther Vandross  and playing Scrabble.  I learned so much from Ceretta.  I am committed to honoring her in the advice she gave me.

How do I say goodbye to what we had?  I envisioned us growing old together. It's so hard to say "goodbye" to my God-given gift and sister, Ceretta Osborne.