"...Her teeth aligned and white,
Beaded like a string of pearls.
Her hair that lie over her forehead,
Golden yellow, hanging in curls..."
Beth Marie Sohmer was the strongest and bravest woman that I knew. Her bright, baby blue eyes that put a shine on her golden blonde hair appeared as if she was given forth from the heavens above. She always smiled and her smile brought us delight, she never wore a frown. Seeing my Aunt Beth in deep melancholy would be like seeing a star without a sparkle, a flower with no color or a lion without its roar. It was a sight that no one saw very often. Even though a cloud of rain followed her every day of her life, nothing could ever take away her pearly white smile. When danger stood before her, she laughed and continued on her path. When pain and suffering laid strongly upon her life, she went on with a smile and a strong heart. And as she stared death into the eyes, she remained to fight every last minute, never giving up to get stronger.
"There is no more today… no more tomorrow.
Mourning the day that she will die.
Deeply grown with all her sorrows..."
Behind her smile and her ever lasting joy and happiness rested the solitude of her death. No matter how happy she remained the grim reaper would always be following her close behind, breathing down her neck. My Aunt Beth was a 35 year-old victim of AIDS...she passed away 9 days away from her 36th birthday. She got the virus when she was 21 years old… and she was just as innocent as you and me. She had married Theron "Ron" Terrell in 1986. Ignorant to know what laid before her, he died in 1987. She wasn't aware that he had full-blown AIDS until the day he passed away. When he died all she was left with was the disease... and the heartache.
"...His death has weakened your health.
And reversed the smiles of your own.
Only if you could have known…
What was inside of him was fully blown..."
In 1996 Aunt Beth was admitted into the hospital one last time. Little did we know that there was only one way she would be discharged. She lived the last four years of her life in the hospital in critical condition. She took a series of strokes in 1997 and was incapable to walk, talk or move. She was kept alive by tubes that gave her oxygen and a gastrostomy tube to feed her. The vision of her lying in that hospital bed, motionless, eyes glossy with sadness and tubes helping her survive still invades my mind with sadness. She had to wear a diaper because she was incapable of getting out of bed to go to the bathroom…she was the only woman in her 30's that I knew who had to wear a diaper and reside in a nursing home. Those days she spent in the hospital were the only moments I ever saw her frown. Never again will anyone see her beautiful smile.
"...Every night I cry as I sit in my lonely room.
In fear that one day,
Six feet over her, beautiful flowers will bloom..."
On April 20, 2000 my Mom and I went to visit her for one last time. A few days before we were told her body was shutting down and there wasn't much time. When we got there we saw the nurse running back out of her room shortly after she went in. She came up to us and said, "I am so sorry, I think she is gone." I walked in there and looked at her lying in her bed. I waited for her to blink…or move. But she had passed away just minutes before we got there to say our final good-byes. They pronounced her dead while we stood around her bed. It was hard to look at her while she was dead…I cried so hard I thought I was going to choke. I will never be able to get that image out of my mind...never. My Mom and I hugged as we cried on each other's shoulders. We stood there and said a prayer with the priest. I told her my final good-byes…I knew she was still in the room to hear me.
"...Angel, with your halo and white gown,
Promise you will come visit,
Glimmering wings to fly down..."
My Aunt Beth had a lot of strength and courage. She made a great influence on my life. Without actually saying it, my Aunt Beth taught me to never give up and to always keep my head up when life seems like it couldn't get any worse. And most importantly, smiling and laughter is always the best medicine. Through my eyes, Aunt Beth is a hero. She has broadcasted herself as a hero and her memory will live on. It tears me up inside knowing how her life was cut short by such a terrible disease that no one should have to suffer through but there's nothing we can do to change that… we all will have to learn to accept it. She is gone but will never be gone in our hearts. She was very beautiful, caring and sweet. There will never be a minute that passes that I won't think about her. I will always remember our memories and if there is somehow you can hear me Aunt Beth… I miss you and I love you.
"Take me in your wings, take me far away.
Forever in my heart your soul will stay.
Goodbye to all your smiles and all your love,
Above this earth for all eternity flies our lonesome dove."
More Pictures- Just some photos of Aunt Beth
Obituaries- Obituaries of people who were once close to Beth also the memorial for her given at her funeral.
Memories- A page that I consists of several memories Aunt Beth and I had that I hold close to my heart.
Contact Me/About Me- If you wish to contact me, here is how you can! =)
Beth Marie Sohmer 
