Remembered Twice

Dedicated to all the “one of a kind” aunties and uncles out there <3

Harper had always been close to her Uncle Jeff and Aunt Mae. Without children of their own, they poured their love into her and her older sister Kinsley as if they were their own daughters.

When Harper grew up, she chose to be one of the first people to settle on Mars. Before liftoff Uncle Jeff and Aunt Mae held her close, knowing it would be the last time, feeling nothing but pride.

Four short days after into settling on Mars, Harper got the call from Kinsley. Uncle Jeff and Aunt Mae had passed away.

On Earth, Kinsley stood before a crowd. On Mars, Harper faced a small circle of close friends. Across two worlds, both women called Uncle Jeff and Aunt Mae “one of a kind” as they said their heartfelt goodbyes.

From above, Jeff and Mae watched their joint funerals, so proud of the women those little girls had become.

Jeff, “212 attendees on Earth, not a bad turnout for a couple old geezers.”

Mae, “Plus the 16 on Mars makes 228. Not bad at all.”

Jeff, “You know, I never imagined we’d be mourned on two separate planets.”

Mae, “Yeah that’s a new one. I don’t think that’s been done before.”

“The girls were right,” Jeff said, glancing at Mae. “We really are one of a kind.”