RIP Tonya Northington

[T Jae]

This side of Heaven lost a beutiful soul last night. Information about the services for Ms. Tonya Northington are forthcoming. For now, I just want to share love for Tonya and her beautiful family.

[Tamra Smith]

I didn't know Tonya but, I heard wonderful things about her through Vanessa. Vanessa sometimes we can be strong and we need that shoulder to cry on too. So even though I'm not around you to give you that hug you need I hope my wrods can be of comfort to you and to Ms. Cora and family. Sometimes people are brought into your life for a reason and maybe Ms. Cora dosen't see it or you Vanessa. But God see's it. She may have lost a daughter but she also gained one too. And in turn you gained a mother. So may your light shine very bright for Ms. Cora for her journey through this darkness. Love you Vanessa and don't think of this as the end of a freindship but the begining to see how Tonya's reflections, and journeys might guide you on the path your heading. Ms. Cora I don't know you but I love you too. And just live through your daughters legacy of living life................................

[Tieuel Legacy]

An Angel Revealed
By Shawnre’

I feel that I can be open with you all.
Can I be open?
We’re all family here, right?
Good.
I wouldn’t care to share these feelings with just anyone.
I wouldn’t want you to judge me by what I had to say.
Many would act as if they knew what I was talking about only to later say that I was touched with lunacy. You know, crazy?
I assure you that I’m not but…

An angel revealed himself last week.
No, no, no…hear me out. You promised.
It wasn’t as glamorous as in the movies but he stood in the doorway of my room.
I logged onto Facebook…I know, I know that it sounds strange.
Hear me out.
I logged onto Facebook and my friend’s picture popped up.
I hadn’t seen him since he left for Iraq over three years ago but he kept in touch.
It suggested that I might know Marcus Barnes and I added him as my friend.
The very next day only his clothes and his memories remained on Earth. He was gone.
He was 40 and having lost colleagues at a young age it’s hard to understand.
He was the kind of friend that would go out of his way which made it was hard not to like him.
You see, for years I worked about 200 feet from him on the floor under him.
I wouldn’t hear him coming but I would hear, “Hello Sir.” That was preceded by a very firm handshake.
The smile on his face told me that every day was new.
Sometimes it’s hard for me to imagine that every day is new but he taught the class in renewal.
He never frowned. He never said ill things to me about anyone. He remained very curious about people and life.
Marcus was well known individual.
I feel like I missed something.
I did.
It took an angel for me to realize his many attributes that stared me in the face.
I don’t remember telling him how much I appreciated him.
Not for the small things but for being the person that he was.
It takes a person on their deathbeds for us say it.
We don’t always have that option.
It hurts to have not told him how much he impacted my day with just a bit of laughter.
We’d talk for an hour each time and there was always something new.
When it was time to go, he wouldn’t shake my hand.
He’d find a great statement in which to depart, he’d pivot, and off he was around the corridor.
Couldn’t see his face anymore but he’s lift his hand in the air.
Off to shed light on someone else’s day. You would think that he didn’t have a job but nevertheless…
He vanished.

An angel…revealed…himself the…other…day.

Another angel revealed herself a week later.

No, I’m serious you all. Just follow me and I won’t steer you wrong.
Listen.
Early in the morning she stood in front of me and she passed me the phone.
A brief message said that the struggle was over, Tonya is gone at a young age.
I didn’t know her well at all but I didn’t need to.
It places things further into perspective.
We were close in age, she loved others, and she was loved by others.
Even as her mother continued to nurse her to a healthy state, this young lady pushed the envelope.
She wanted to live the normal life that many of us desire.
Quickly, she left the oxygen mask and the walker behind.
She made plans to venture to a Florida beach to be with her sorors and other film lovers.
Tonya just wanted…
…to be whole again.

The church believes that worthy people will go to heaven.
However, only select words can describe the quiet that set in after she was gone.
We saturated our shirts and blouses with tears.
Our minds saturated with thoughts of her mother Miss Cora who has felt the same pain several times with her losses.
In the end…
I believe that Tonya achieved what she wanted…
…to be whole again.

Angels…revealed…themselves…the other day.
It was up to me to decipher why.
Was my life being surveyed? Were they telling me things that I did right or things that I did wrong?
I’ve seen these angels before.
They show themselves when they are taking someone HOME.
Sometimes I wonder if they are making a bed for me.
That day I can say that…

My angels…revealed themselves…to me.

© Copyright 2009, Tieuel Legacy! All rights reserved.

[T Jae]

I knew both Marcus and Tonya. Certainly a sad few days. But each of them continue to live just a little in all the lives they've touched along the way.

[AHTD]

When I heard the report of her transition, I smiled. I felt a sense of peace and wholeness. I thought of the news of her being hospitalized. I thought of the love, hope and faith of her loving mother Ms. Cora. I thought of the days and months passing and the prayers that were prayed for Tonya and her family. I thought of love that the New World Church had for her and Ms. Cora. I thought of hearing about progress and a good report as our intercession continued. I thought of the news of her release from the hospital and the joy in our hearts. I thought of hearing about the miracle of Tonya being able to walk into NWC on that wonderful sabbath celebration day. I thought of the first time that I saw her. I thought of the couple of months that we had with Tonya since her release, a present day miracle before our eyes. I thought of the power of a praying mother. I felt a sense of awe, peace, joy, and wholeness; I felt faith, hope and love.

I thank God for the moments that I was in her presence, the presence of the Lord.

I love you Ms. Cora and I am always available for you.