Day 278
Today is my sister’s birthday. I have thought about her all week knowing her birthday was coming up. It is still hard not having her here physically, but I feel her spirit everywhere. I am not sure I will ever get over missing her, but I try to focus on the joy that celebrating her life brings to me.
My sister was a spitfire. Very politically minded and very family-centric. She never met a stranger. There was always someone who had fallen on hard times living with her family. Both my sisters had that trait. I always used to kid them and tell them I was born without the ‘come live with me gene‘! She would literally give you the shirt off her back.
She loved a debate. Especially concerning the two things most people try to avoid — religion and politics. She called them like she saw them and would argue her point until her last breath.
When the Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky debacle was revealed, my sister always wanted to see Hillary throw Bill’s clothes on the White House lawn. Of course that would never really happen, but that’s how she said she would have responded.
Political news was her drug of choice. She would watch C-SPAN any time she could. I could never argue with her — she was well armed with knowledge and had a proclivity toward the politics in our country. She could tell you anything you wanted to know about Watergate and she always thought Ted Kennedy should have gone to prison for the death of Mary Jo Kopechne.
For me, however, she was my big sister. Our relationship ebbed and flowed over the years, and thankfully we were really close in the years preceding her death. I look at this photo of her on Easter morning. She sat on the porch beside my grandfather ready to take on any challenge. When I think of her, my heart always remembers her this way. Dark hair, happy-go-lucky, and full of a zest for life. This brings me great joy.
There is a great sadness in losing someone you love. Grief can be a viscous taskmaster, but if we allow it to run its course, there is great joy in remembering their life rather than their death. I am so thankful I have reached this point. There is a lot of love, joy and memories in sixty years. She was much more than her death.
I am forever grateful knowing she was my sister and my friend.
That’s a lovely tribute, Maggie.
I will feel the same about my Mum, come the 9th of July.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Pete.
Someone in my family shares that birthday with your mum. I will be wishing your mom a very happy birthday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your sister sounds very much like my older brother. I think I’ll give him a call tonight – thanks, Maggie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That makes me happy, Dan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
what a lovely tribute, Maggie! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much. I really miss her.
LikeLike
These past two posts have been most touching.
Hopefully the writing and sharing of them have been both cathartic and healing for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Laura. Yes, writing helps but then so does time. Still miss her so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My sister was six years younger than I am, so it was especially hard to realize she was dying before me. I remember holding her as a new baby. There is something very difficult about losing a sister no matter how close in spirit they remain(and mine does too.) My sympathy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Both my sisters were older. That was hard enough, I cannot imagine if they had been much younger. My heart goes out to you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I am the oldest of four.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maggie your beautiful tribute brought tears to my eyes. I am so glad you had some special times and experiences together. Grief is hard. I am holding you gently in my heart.
LikeLike
Thank you, Lauren. They were both very special to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So beautifully stated. I know you have some wonderful memories but I’m so sorry for your losses. 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Nancy. The losses were hard but the memories are forever.
LikeLike