 This eulogy courtesy of the Kindred Funeral Homes.
Thank you all for being here today, and thank you for the outpouring of love and support you've shown our family during this unimaginably difficult time. Your kind words, thoughts, and prayers have been a source of comfort as we grapple with the loss of our beloved Mila , our MiMi, whose life was a vibrant mosaic of joy, resilience, and love. Yesterday, Mila would have turned five years old. It was a day we had looked forward to, one that should have been filled with the laughter and excitement of a little girl who loved life with every fiber of her being. Instead, we find ourselves gathered here to honor her memory, to share stories, and to celebrate the profound impact she had on all of us in her short, bright life. Mila was the embodiment of pure joy. With her fiery personality and sassy demeanor, she brought laughter and light wherever she went. She found bliss in dancing, in the melodies of Disney Princess songs, and in the empowering anthems of 80's rock. She loved Tayor Swift, and Lady Gaga. One of her favorite songs was “Barbie Girl.” Mila’s imagination was as colorful as the makeup she adored playing with, and her creativity knew no bounds. Despite the challenges of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Mila danced through life's obstacles with a spirit that inspired everyone around her. She was a girly girl with an attitude, a spunky little sister who loved bossing around Sebastian, and a loving daughter whose heart was as big as her smile. Mila was a little girl who personified love for everyone and everything… Mila's friendships were precious, especially with her best friend Arriyah, whose bond with Mila was as sweet as the cake pops they cherished on their Starbucks dates. Arriyah’s mother and I were childhood best friends, so it seemed right that Mila and Arriyah should be, too. Their birthdays are just two weeks apart. Together, the two of them created a world where every day was an adventure, where McDonald's chicken nuggets with ranch were the feast of champions, and where giggles were the currency of their realm. At home, Mila's pets, her dog Ginger and Ellie, and her three cats, were her cherished companions. She had a knack for making everyone she met feel special, including her grandparents, Amy, Richard, Becky, and Rusty (all of whom adored her). Her aunts and uncles, Lavica, Kiel, Amanda, Mike, Daniel, and Rusty, all knew the joy of Mila's exuberant embraces. And her parents, Ashley and Ryan, felt the warmth of her love every single day. Mila's laughter was infectious, her love for scary videos and “Frozen” adventures was unmatched, and her days at preschool with Miss Debbie and her classmates were full of learning and fun. She was a bright spark, her intellect and wit shone through in every goofy joke and silly name she conjured up. One of her great joys was doing spa time. And she loved LOL surprise ball, and mini brands. Mila was a young lady with SO many things that gave her pleasure… As we say goodbye to our little MiMi, we hold on to the beauty of her spirit, the strength she exhibited, and the love she spread so generously. Mila was an example of strength and perseverance, a wonderful daughter, big sister, granddaughter, niece, and friend. She will forever be missed, but her legacy of bravery, her laughter, and her capacity to love will continue to inspire us. Mila, you may have been small, but your spirit was colossal. You taught us the true meaning of courage and the depth of pure love. You will forever be our little mermaid, swimming in the vast ocean of our hearts, where you will forever be cherished and remembered. Your melody will continue to play, a sweet symphony of memories that will never fade. Rest peacefully, dear Mila. We love you more than words can express, and we will carry you with us, always and forever. |