I am in deep and profound loss. My favorite person in the world, my Auntie Carolyn passed away on August 29th, which was also the day my youngest turned 5 years old. As you’d imagine I dealt with the hard task of masking my emotions to give the best birthday party I could. Yesterday was Auntys service and it so happened to fall on the same day as my oldest daughters birthday party. I didn’t bring my children to the funeral because they’re young, unfamiliar with funerals and I didn’t want them to see me so broken and and full of tears in a day that was meant to be celebratory. But I really wish I had. I want them and everyone else to know what lineage I come from. Never in all my days of attending my childhood church have i ever seen so many people. 3 parking lots full and cars illegally lined up and down halsted all to see CJ. She was their aunty too. Carolyn Jenkins was a warrior for the youth, an advocate to all those left behind. Since I was young I watched her run (an illegal) daycare out of her house, legally adopt children from her block in need of guidance, and even take in adults who were sick, in need of a job or fresh out of jail. Complete strangers became her family and by extension a member of my family. I have so many cousins because of Auntie. This was the woman who built Kids of the Kingdom vacation bible school for over 30 years and tasked me with reviving it and adding other church campuses. She fought schools and teachers and even parents, anyone who mistreated or talked down in children was stopped in their track by Sister Carolyn. Everything you ever seen me do as a supporter or advocate of the youth was influenced by her and in tribute to her. She showed me and every niece and nephew she had blood or not that we were special and belonged to her. I am in grief. Deep grief.
I once heard that grief is love with nowhere to go. But aunty showed me where my love should go. And I will continue to love on my children and all Gods children in her legacy. And these tears will be in joy because I know the Lord told her JOB WELL DONE MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT 💔🕊️
Carolyn
