Will You Help Me Honor the Memory of Rosa Porter?

"You already know that Rosa is God's BombDiggity. I am doing absolutely great! God has blessed me so wonderfully well until I must give Him all of his Glory and Honor."

These are the kind of texts I would receive from Rosa. My phone would light up with her name, and I always knew I would read a text filled with positivity and gratitude. Her messages were often filled with words of wisdom and lessons that could only come from someone who has lived a life of service to others and perseverance through unimaginable times. One of my most memorable texts from her was when I ordered the cheapest dish on the menu at Erica's birthday dinner, mainly because I wanted really wanted to eat a carb-loaded pastry with vegetables. Her name popped up on my phone a few hours later with a message saying, "Whenever I ask you to dinner or if you happen to have noticed that I'm in a restaurant and you come sit with me, I pay for the entire meal for you and for anyone else dining with me. Remember, eat whatever you want and it's on me. We're family!" Rosa meant every word she wrote.

Rosa was the kind of woman who cared for others first, without sacrificing her own self-care. She achieved the balance of selflessness and self-care. All of Erica's friends became her friends and family, and she cared for all of us as though we were her own. When I first met Rosa, I told her how I used my roommate's soap because I ran out of my own. The next week, Rosa brought at least 10 bars of fancy soap with Erica to make sure that I didn't go without them. Those bars of soap lasted me for at least two years. Again, Rosa cared for others first.

In February, Rosa was diagnosed with stage 3 uterine cancer. In true Rosa fashion, she stepped up her health game more than ever. She was determined to fight and maintained her joy and positivity! But on Monday, July 18, Rosa lost her battle with cancer, as it had spread throughout her entire body. Rosa was 63.

Her oldest daughter (and one of my dearest friends) Erica, her siblings, and her father were in no way prepared to lose their matriarch. Rosa was their rock and the woman who always led them to water when there was seemingly no water in sight. A few months prior to her death, Rosa and her husband had to replace a very expensive appliance in their house as the medical bills were piling up. And if you have lost a parent or a loved one and have been directly involved in planning their funeral, you understand the cost of laying someone to rest can be burdensome. House repairs, medical bills, and funeral expenses are not exactly what a family wants to think about while they try to process the loss of someone who they can't quite live without.

As I sat on the porch the evening Rosa passed, a massive gust of wind enveloped me. I felt it was Rosa, so I spoke into the wind and promised to care for Erica like Rosa always cared for me. So the one way I would like to give back to Rosa and care for Erica and her family is to help them raise money to help with home repairs, Rosa's medical bills, and her funeral expenses. It's the least I could do for a woman who made sure that I always had soap in my shower and sausage and kale soup in my freezer.

If you know Erica then you know Rosa, as Erica is a lot like her momma! And if you met Rosa, you know exactly who I described in the beginning.

I know money is tight for everyone, but if you are looking for ways to care for someone in your community, whether you know them or not, will you join me in helping ease some financial burdens placed upon Erica and her family with Rosa's passing?

If you have a beautiful memory of Rosa, please feel free to share!