RoJo almost D.O.: My HoneyNut

This post is a week and one day late...but I had to do it. Last Saturday, October 18th, my little cousin Danielle (AKA: my HoneyNut) turned 18! Holy crap, I'm getting old. I have had some of the most memorable moments with this girl and the more and more I reminisce, the more and more I realize how much I adore her! We've gone from playing "house" and dress up (I was the mom, she and her, just as beautiful sister Racquel, were my daughters) to her visiting me in my own home and going to comedy shows. There are numerous, numerous stories I can share, but that could go on and on. So, I will share one. One which I believe will show how warm of a heart she has, no matter how "hard" she tries to be sometimes. I don't even think she will remember this.

I had to be about 12 or 13, so she was 4 or 5.

Before going on, please note that I was...okay, still am...a very sensitive person. I hate people being mad or yelling at me, particularly my mom. When I get yelled at, I cry. I can't help, I just do.

Anyway, Danielle and the rest of the family came to visit my mom and I. Earlier that day, we had gone to the community pool. Carelessly, I left my glasses at the pool. Later that night, I realized that I didn't have them and I could not for the life of me remember where I put them! So, after an hour of squinting and trying to look for them I realized I needed to tell my mom. Frustrated with my carelessness (I lost my glasses about one a week), she began to yell at me; even though I'm sure she said, "I'm not yelling Precious, I'm speaking sternly and loudly" but at that age, anything above a normal decibel for indoor speech, I considered yelling. Anyway, I started crying. Not just a few tears, but sobbing. My mom then made me go to the pool to look. And behind me, came little Danielle. She walked with me to the pool. Initially, I couldn't find the glasses, so I just sat and kept crying. A few seconds later, I looked over and Danielle is crying as much as I am. "Why are you crying," I asked her. She looks at me and says, "because your mom yelled at you and made you cry." In that moment, I was like this little girl has one of the sweetest hearts I have ever known.

Growing up, she at times had a rough exterior (for reasons that are clear to me), but no matter what, I saw that she was more than that and she cares hard for her family and friends. Has there been days where she has annoyed the crap out of me or that I have been so mad at her I've wanted to strangle her, absolutely. But, no matter what- she will always be my little Danielle that I love oh so much!

Words cannot express how proud I am of her. Throughout the years, she has had her difficult times, but she has grown into one of the most poise, confident, and beautiful young ladies I know! I truly hope that she continues to keep her head on her shoulders, keep dreaming big, and accomplish all her goals.

To my little HoneyNut- no matter how hard life gets, I wholeheartedly believe that you will make it through. Know that I am always here for you. I love you and welcome to adulthood!