Nyah- Funeral Eulogy
My name is Jill Larson and I was fortunate enough to be LaNyah’s 7th and 8th grade Assistant Principal. As an educator, if we are lucky enough a child touches our life and makes a powerful and lasting impression that stays with us for years. For me that was LaNyah. When I first heard LaNyah’s story, it was at a transition meeting that was being held at Brookwood Middle School. The meeting was to help LaNyah transition smoothly from middle school to Junior High. Before the meeting began the staff were doing rock paper scissors to see who would have to sit next her mother. I had heard the stories, and I don’t know if I was being brave or dumb but I volunteered to sit next to her and I will never regret it. As I sat and listened I heard medical terms I had never heard before, Moya Moya, Dystonia, Apheresis. As the meeting went on it became more and more evident that this was a very special child and her mother was only wanting what was best for her. During LaNyah’s jr. high years, we became very close. Because of her illness she spent many hours with me in my office. LaNYah had a healthy appetite. She would call or text me early in the morning before school and ask me to stop and get her sardines, krispy kreme donuts, Polish Sausage or brown and serve sausages that I would be cooking in my office on the pizza pizzaz. If Nyah wanted it, we would get it, it didn’t matter what it was, if we knew it would bring a smile to her face that was all it took. As the Assistant Principal I was also in charge of discipline. So as you can imagine my office was a busy place. If a student was sent out of class for misbehaving, as soon as they walked into my office, LaNyah would take over. She would tell them, to sign in, write their statement and then she would give them a lecture as to why they should be in class. She pretty much ran the office. And if you know LaNyah, she didn’t take any lip from them. In fact they new better to even try. On occasion, LaNyah would have an episode and we called it getting stuck. She could hear us but she just couldn’t speak. At the time our health clerk, Ms. Owens, Nyah’s 1:1 Ms. Cluff and I would try to make her laugh because that seemed to relax her and bring her out of it. We used to pretend we were going to take her things, Ms. Owens would say, Larson you see those earrings? I’m gonna take those, and I would respond you can have the earrings I want those shoes, look at those cute shoes and we would pretend like we were taking them off her and she would snap out of it so fast. And in true LaNyah form, she would yell, ain’t nobody taking my things and we would all laugh. I was also fortunate to be able to spend time with LaNyah outside of school. We went to the Sox game, Dave & Busters, fishing and swimming in Michigan, we went to the pumpkin patch, all of her parties and fundraisers and countless other activities. Yes, she was one of a kind. If LaNyah was in crisis, I would go be with her at Children’s hospital, I was there with her for her second brain surgery in California. And all the times I was with her when she was feeling good or when she was in crisis her outlook was always the same. She always had a big smile on her face. I never met a stronger person in my life than LaNyah Aldridge. Becoming so close with LaNyah I also became close with her family. And what a family they are. After meeting LaNyah I saw where she learned to be so strong, from her mother. Now I have been in education for the past 27 years and I have never seen a more dedicated parent or mother than Lorinda. She fought tooth and nail for LaNyah. And the support system LaNyah had. When I left that first transition meeting I must have written down 15 phone numbers to contact if LaNyah went into crisis. Mom, Grandma, Uncle, her advocate Wendy who by the way we all thought was her lawyer, TT Carmello, Uncle PeeWee, the list goes on and on. She was close with her brother Armani no one better mess with him or she would get them with that strong hand of hers. And she looked up to her big sister Daisha. I remember when LaNyah wanted to be a cheerleader at the junior high, Dasiah would come after school to be with her just so she could participate. Such an awesome family. Looking back that was a true testament to the lives that LaNyah touched. If you met LaNyah you just know what I mean. A child truly touched by God. She had such a presence, a glow. The day before LaNyah passed her mom video messaged me. I cherish that last conversation with LaNyah. She looked so beautiful, she was smiling, she just looked so peaceful and happy. We told each other I love you before hanging up. I am so grateful I had that last chance to tell her I loved her and I will cherish that moment forever. I love and miss you Nyah Nyah, you will be forever in my heart slim.