All content copyright Katrina Hall 2008 through 2025

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

saying goodbye

Never in a million years could I have imagined this day, when I held my sister's hand and said goodbye.

A week ago my older sister died of cancer.  She had been shockingly diagnosed a year and a half ago, went on a new medication that seemed to be working, but then, suddenly, stopped being effective.  She went back to her beloved home, surrounded by friends, family, and the very caring Hospice staff just after Easter - only a few weeks ago.  Everything happened so quickly, so quickly.

She is part of my entire life, every nook and cranny, snapshots scattered across the bed, from my first baby pictures to her last week.  And after she died, we went into her garden, her beautiful Spring garden, bursting with beauty and life and color, to try to fathom a life without her phone calls and visits, her grace, and her love.   Blessings to her husband, her three sons and their families, and her two grandchildren.  Until we meet again.









17 comments:

La Table De Nana said...

I am so sad for you.
What a beautiful beautiful girl.
Your words touched me so much,my sympathies Katrina.
I am looking at a blue sky..with puddles in my eyes,

katrina said...

Thank you, dear Nana, - those puddles seem to come and go a lot these days/.....

kellypea said...

This is so beautiful, Katrina, and it's made me sob for your incredible loss. What a lovely woman she must have been and how wonderful to have had such a special relationship. Hold tight to those nooks and crannies. xo

katrina said...

Thank you, Kelly - I will , I will. We had a complicated childhood, that made me appreciate her being sometimes "my little mother", sometimes typical siblings. She has always been in my life, my constant. , and I felt life was so unjust with this disease - but I imagine every family has a story life this, feelings like this. In the end, you hang on to love.

katrina said...

Oops - that should read "a story like this"

Mumsie said...

I, too, lost my sister to cancer; my deepest sympathies for your loss, but it sounds like we were both blessed to have had wonderful sisters. You are so right to recognize that others have felt it was unfair to lose a loved one to cancer and very wise to "hang on to love"; it's what keeps me going. Blessings to you and your family.

Kalyn Denny said...

So sorry to hear about this incredible loss. I'm glad you have happy memories of her to get you through this time.

katrina said...

Mumsie - thank you, your words meant a lot to me. I'm so sorry about your sister, I know you must miss her. Hugs and love

Katrina

katrina said...

Thank you, Kalyn.....

Lisa from Iroquois said...

My condolences on your loss. I cannot imagine a world without my sisters. Nobody knows us better at our deepest core. *hug*

Kate said...

My deepest condolences. Your heart must be on a roller coaster of incredible loss and heaviness heightened by peaks of joyous memories. May God continue to give you grace and peace as you surround yourself with all the love and memories you hold so dear.

diary of a tomato said...

Oh, Katrina, words cannot express how very sorry I am for your tremendous loss — sisters are an entirely different category of the heart. I've had my own brush with cancer this year and, as I emerge from the experience, am just coming to realize it's deep affect on my loved ones. Thank-you for the courage and heart to share this with us...

donna foodlover said...

Katrina, my heart is with you in your grief. Having happy memories with your sister is a blessing and I am happy that you have them and the photos as well. Hold tight to the love. It won't ever leave you.

Barb said...

Dear Katrina - I am so sorry for your loss of your beloved sister. May you find comfort in the love and support of your family and friends .

Blessings to you and your family"

katrina said...

Thank you all for your comforting messages, they are very appreciated....

with love Katrina

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. Take care. Alane

katrina said...

Alane - thank you. Inch by inch, day by day is the new mantra.

with love Katrina