Halima "Lima Bean" Mandesa Todd

Our big sister Halima, The last message I sent to you as I was on fire to see you celebrate your best life yet literally read, "this is your year, girl." We were all ready to shower you with love and payback for the incredible support you availed to every soul you met. How can this THE year we never wake up to your beautiful smile cracking jokes again? We were not ready. You are a treasure that touched lives with love, support, loyalty, joy, laughter, and godliness. I revisit all your endless stories, jokes, and the laughter and warmth you gave us all. All-night girl slumber times. All the events...weddings, baby showers, trips & dates we attended. I hadn't seen you in a decade & yet you are a vivid stamp in my heart. My & our beautiful and all-wise sister in Christ, we thank God for you and bless you for being our sunshine and a source of joy and a powerhouse of love. You will be forever remembered and treasured by all of us. My sister Halima was the most down-to-earth soul sister, a woman of great class in character, very patient, tolerant, accepting, understanding, with womanly wisdom and godly compassion. Her love was action. She gave all of her strength to love and support others. The young, the old, the misfortune all found a resting place & a space of comfort with Mademoiselle Lima. Never heard her fuss, complain, or accept defeat. She triumphed with optimism. When we were messy and actin a fool, she was there correctin'. I was young & cray cray. Say ridiculous things & she'd give me the look. "Oh, ok Martine." Without saying a word her wisdom would seep through. She was considerate and always available to comfort. Guided young ones to doses of reality but always grounded in love. You couldn't tell she had bad days because she wore her smile like pearls. A day with lima meant to me good times. She made you feel like life was worth living each and every moment. You can never forget Lima if you tried because every memory makes you feel so good. Halima is a prime example of a soul given a life assignment and living a life worth living every step of the way. Although we hoped to share so much more of her upcoming milestones and feel cheated out of celebrating many more earth years together, we love and appreciate your life journey as is. God is good all the time, and he got you, girl. Halima, this is your year, girl. You got welcomed this year to heaven and are now resting in the arms and full love of Jesus. We share our hearts & these love postcards with heaven, and we know you are laughing & cracking love jokes away. My friend and sister. Thank you for being you to me. Loving me, supporting me, cheering me, seeing me, and validating me just to be me and accept who God made me out to be. Every day I think about you... I can't believe you are not here yet. It's unbelievable that you are out there. There's grief for us but joy for heaven. So... Rest in peace. I will see you again. Until then, you live in our memories in our hearts.