This month I am remembering my dear Aunt Dolsie who suddenly passed away last month. In her short 67 years here on Earth, she managed to leave behind a legacy for many to follow. I can understand now why God would have wanted such a special angel beside him.

My Aunt Dolsie was appropriately given the nickname Dols at a very young age by my mother, who was her oldest sister. She was raised very poorly in Trinidad with her two parents and her four other siblings. As a result of being raised in a poverty-stricken region, her siblings encouraged one another to seek opportunities in other parts of the world. My mother motivated Dols to pack her belongings at the young age of 21 and travel to London. With only a passport, no visa or even two nickels to rub together, she took my mother's advice and set out to the royal land of England.

I remember Dols sharing her story with me of the many difficulties she faced upon her arrival to the bustling, thriving city of London. Thankfully, Trindad was a British Colony and she was able to immediately start pursuing employment in the city without a working visa. Before she left Trinidad, she was accepted to a nursing school in a hospital in London that she set out to find when her feet touched land. Her other siblings were continously inpired by her perseverence and devotion throughout her experience.

Despite the extreme culture shock, unfamiliararity of the land and nostalgia she was feeling, she created a very joyful life for herself. She married a gentleman who she meet on her journey in London and had two boys. She always remembered that at the age of 21, she was given a gift and an opportunity of a lifetime when she came to London. Years after, she continued to bless her family and the other children in Trinidad with money, inspiration and most importantly, love.

I was one of the children that was blessed to have Aunt Dols guide me through life with her rich faith, spirituality, and love. Before she left for London, she was a caretaker to me in the first two years of my life. Her love was extended to me many years later as I too, was looking for more of an educational opportunity that Trinidad could not provide me with.  She invited me to London to stay with her and her family to further my education in skin care and and learn the state of the art electrology and body therapies.

 I was delighted to accept her offer and start my individual journey to London too. During my time in England, my Aunt Dols and I always shared stories and deeply related to one another. She taught me one of the most important lessons I have learned on this Earth. She showed me how to care for others and the importance of blessing those who are less fortunate. As my time in London came to an end,  I remember her expressing that I was the daughter she never had. Today, I attribute my success as a spa owner and my passion for caring for others to my Aunt Dolsie.

After my educational and spiritual stay in London, I returned back to Trinidad. My husband Andy and I decided to move to the U.S. and seek opportunty in Massachusetts. When I opened Allure Spa on April 27, 1994, it was on the birthday of my Aunt Dol's. I trusted my faith and knew that my Aunt Dols would be the angel to always look over my business.

Today, she is truly an angel in heaven watching over me, my family and my business.  As I reflect on the story of my Aunt Dols, I truly believe that she has given me so much purpose in life. Her simple invitation for me to come stay with her family in London to gain an education has led to me not only being able to open my own spa but also to take my knowledge to Bangladesh and teach young women of an orphanage the field of beauty in order for them to earn a living for themselves. I will always remember and cherish her amazing stories filled with so many sacrifices and her kind, generous heart that her family and friends will remember for generations to come.

On August 1st, I will prepare for my journey to London to commemorate her life at her funeral with my fellow family members. Our family will also remember my mother's passing 22 years ago which also happned in the month of August. I appreciate all the love, prayers and outreach I have received during this very difficult time. Although I am deeply saddened, it is important to me to share her amazing legacy with others.

I encourage my readers to reach and follow your dreams like my Aunt Dols had advised me to do. I understand that at times, change can seem very difficult and uncomfortable. However, we live one life and we are responsibile for making our own choices and creating our own happiness. In memory of my Aunt, my goal is to uniquely help those who are less fortunate this upcoming year. I will have to research and pray for this new opportunity to help. I look forward to sharing my new adventures with you!

Thank You and God Bless,

Sandra Ishmael