It is hard to believe that my sister Corrinne would have been 45 years old today. As we gathered at the gravesite, my other sister remarked that she could not imagine how she would be if she had lived this long. Corrinne died 19 years ago this fall and we have never stopped loving her. I hosted her final birthday party 19 years ago. Not one of us would have thought she would never celebrate with us again.
That day was a joyous one, with lots of laughter and hope. She had brought her new boyfriend along for all of us to meet. They were to move in together a few days later, and in a month she would be dead. Even today, the concept is unimaginable. We just never know when what we love will be lost. I still find her absence a huge, gaping wound in my soul, though not as acute. On days like today though, the pain is tangible. I miss her.
This photo is of a 1984 road trip we took to the United States. Two sisters having a good time is a memory that cannot be lost. She was a bright light in my life, with a sense of fun and a flair for fashion. She is sporting the Hawaii sweatshirt that I had bought her. She could pull off skinny jeans back then. I have always loved this photo because it seems to capture a moment of closeness between us. I remember resting our shoulders together comfortably, as we sat there. A millisecond caught forever by my heart.
I cannot speculate on where she might be if she had not died but I like to think that she would be happy doing whatever she was doing. Happy Birthday, Sis! You are missed and loved.
Peace,
Suzanne
It still seems surreal - and a reminder I suppose that no matter how dark things may seem, they can go in an entirely more horrible direction..
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