Sunday, June 23, 2013

Losing Lynda

This post is a difficult one to do because it is about my sister, Lynda.  She passed away on June 6th, two days before her 69th birthday.  It involved a series of events...heart attack, triple bypass, stroke and ultimately arrhythmia that they were unable to stabilize due to all the other health issues. 
 
So she has been gone from this world for 16 days, and I just cannot wrap my mind around it.  She is in my thoughts several times a time and during the night if I happen to wake up.  I look at her photo and remember all the life events we shared together, and my heart aches to realize we will not be sharing the future.  Even though our phone calls were infrequent, I want to pick up the phone and call her.  While driving through the twin cities on my way to Brainerd yesterday, I wanted so badly to be able to stop by for a visit and asked myself why I didn't visit more often.  We get so busy with our own lives that we forget to make time for those people we care so much about.


Her memorial service was beautiful with music by our brothers and sister-in-law.  I shared memories and thoughts as well as my nephew, Lynda's friend and both of our brothers.  There were moments of tears and laughter and an outpouring of love from the many friends and family that loved her so much.  I am fairly sure she had no idea how many people's lives she had touched and how dearly she was loved.  Lynda was a person who always put others first, almost to a fault.  She would make sure every one else was taken care of before giving a thought to herself.  She did not want any attention and so I attempt to comfort myself with the belief that she would not have wanted to live as an invalid and have others fuss over her.  However, I needed her here longer as did her entire family, especially her three young grandsons that she adored.
 

 
I feel like life should have stopped longer to honor our great loss.  How dare the sun continue to shine or rain continue to fall?  My lovely sister is gone, and even Mother Nature should have given pause.
Oh, Lynda.  I love and miss you so much and don't want to let you go!

Thought for the day:  Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.