Tuesday 7 August 2012

My Sister Died Today






That's life isn't it?  It's not always good news & behind 
every blog is a real person living a life.  My sister didn't 
have much of one.  She was confined to a wheelchair her 
whole life & unable to take part in any "normal" activities.
  She lived in an establishment for severely disabled people 
& spent most of her time bedridden.

I visited her once a year with my girls & we took her all her
favourite treats, painted her nails & did whatever we could to
 make her more comfortable.  When we arrived she was
 always listless.  By the time we left she was always full of 
beans.  I'm sure she sunk back down once we were gone again...

I would have needed a couple more million rand to care for her
myself & where she was was the best place she could be & in
the same province where the majority of my family members
live.  I'm so glad I got to see her recently & have some 
cell-phone photos to remember her by.  {All my camera photos
 had to be deleted due to a virus contracted on my SD card}.


Honestly she's better off now.  Her life wasn't good
& her suffering was constant.  I've come to a realisation
lately regarding people in my life {a simple one really,
why it took so long I don't know} but this is it.


I'm glad I watered her.  She was a flower in my life...




62 comments:

Lili Sulastri said...

So sorry to read abut your loss. Hugs and Prayers to you and your family.

Lili

Jenny in Durbs said...

Helen I am sorry for your loss & so very glad you spent precious time with your sister. Thoughts are with you all.

Alanna said...

A beautiful post which has brought tears to my eyes. I vividly remember your recent post about your visit and am glad you had the chance to spend that time with her. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers, and I too beleive your sister is in a better and much happier place where she is no longer suffering. Hugs ox

Stefanie said...

So sorry to read about your loss, my prayers with you and the family as you grieve. We never know when the last time will be, so thankful that you got to spoil her and spend some time with here here recently.

Michelle said...

I am so so sorry to hear about your sister!! I too am so glad you were able to spend the time with her recently. Sending lots of love and hugs across the pond...

Wishful Thinking said...

Oh Helen, sorry to hear your sad news. But as you said she's better off now. Glad you visited her recently and have some pictures. Hugs to you.
Rachel

Rene Sharp said...

My heart goes out to you all!!!

Mona Pendleton said...

I will keep you and your sister in my thoughts and prayers Helen :) hugs

Lynette Jacobs said...

I wish I could just reach out and give you a big hug. I am so glad that you recently spent time with her. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

ANUPAMA CHOUDARY said...

My heart goes out to you, Helen. You are right...She was a flower in your life and I am so glad that the girls & you spent some precious time with her recently.
Hugs from India

Missy Whidden said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, Helen. Hugs to you and your family.

juscrap said...

So sorry to read abut your loss. Hugs and Prayers to you and your family.

Bente Fagerberg said...

Reading about your sisters passing makes me sad, but at the same time I am glad you managed to light up her life with your visit recently. It is also such a good thing that she got to live near many members of her family.
Now she has gone to a better place.
Hugs to you all!!

mariemily said...

Hugs to you Helen!

Unknown said...

Oh Helen I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Prayers and hugs to you, friend. How special that you were at least able to spend some time with her recently. Take care!

gracescraps@gmail.com said...

Oh Helen, so sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing about your visits with her. I'm sure they brightened her life. Thanks also for the reminder to water the good things in life. Praying for you. ~ Blessings, Tracey

http://gracescraps.blogspot.com/

tania said...

may she rest in peace helen,and forever bloom in your heart.xxx

topkatnz said...

Awwhh Helen.huge hugs from me.your sentiment is soooo true.my thoughts are with you.hxxxxx

Alison said...

Helen I'm so glad you got to visit your sister so recently...and thanks be for cameras in phones! My thoughts and prayers are with you
Alison xx

Tracee said...

So sorry for your loss Helen Tx

Rachael Funnell said...

Helen! I So Soooo SORRY for you & your Family loss... HUGS!

Lynn said...

Sorry to hear for your loss. Your story touched my heart as I too have a sister confined in a wheelchair. She has a rare genetic disease. I know she doesn't have very many years left. Thank you for reminding me that those moments we have now are very special and important.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Denise Price said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm glad that you'll always have the memory of your yearly visits with your sister.

Anonymous said...

Dear Helen I am so sorry for your loss. I pray for you and your family to be able to get through this most painful time. It is good that you see the positive side of things and how your sister does not have to suffer anymore. But sadly those of us who lose a loved one in death have to suffer their loss. I lost my dad unexpectedly last year but I have a hope that I will see him again! I'm not sure if you have a belief in the Bible, but there are a few scriptures that really help me to cope and give me hope of a time when no one will die anymore again. I will like to share them with you too. You can look them up online if you don't have a Bible.
Revelation 21:3;4
Hosea 13:14
Job 14:14:15
Love Pearl x

Keren Tamir said...

Your post brought tear to my eyes!! She was obviously a special soul and even though she's not suffering anymore, losing a sister is like losing a friend. I'm glad you got to visit her lately. Its almost as if she was waiting for you so she can pass on! I do hope she found some peace and that you and your family do to!! sending you lots of hugs, you are in my thoughts
K

Nicole Doiron said...

Such wise words and such a heartfelt tribute message to your sister! May she rest in peace!

Cindy Fortin said...

I'm so sorry to read about this. I send to you and your family my sincere condolences.

Kerryn said...

Helen, that is a truly beautiful statement and a good reminder to us all. Hugs to you and your family. xx

Lynnda said...

I am so sorry to hear about your loss... I wish im there ...so I can just give you a hug...but I am here...and you are in my thoughts... take care...hugs..xoxo

Sandi Clarkson said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, Helen. But thankful that you had a recent visit that brightened her last days. Praying for you and your family, as it is always hard .. regardless of the circumstances .. to lose a loved one.

yyam said...

It's always hard to lose someone you love. I like to think of people who leave this world as angels who stopped by to add a little sparkle in our lives. I'm glad that you spent some quality time with her this year. Thinking of you today Helen. Big hugs!

yyam said...

It's always hard to lose someone you love. I like to think of people who leave this world as angels who stopped by to add a little sparkle in our lives. I'm glad that you spent some quality time with her this year. Thinking of you today Helen. Big hugs!

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

So sorry for your loss my friend....

Alia said...

Thinking of you xo

Theresa said...

So hard to lose siblings. I have lost two. My brother just a year ago. My heart and prayers are with you.

Lizzy Hill said...

Glad your sister is at peace & I'm glad you got to see her recently - sad that you have to go through losing her...you've had a bit of a rough patch lately...thinking of you; take care:):):)

Jasmine S said...

Oh my gosh Helen. You have blown me away. Something I did not expect to read and something that has made me feel so sad. Not sure why. Maybe that life can be so cruel and to take away such a beautiful flower from you just isn't fair. She sounded like a beautiful person and I hope she finds her peace and so do you and the family.
Take care and thinking of you. x

Heather Jacob said...

A BEAUTIFUL POST HELEN .. so sad that your sister had the life of an invalid ... she would have loved the time spent with you and your family .. bless you and yes I agree she is in a beautiful place now ... take care xoxoxo

sandi said...

Oh Helen, I'm so sorry to hear about this. My heart goes out to you my friend. Many prayers to you and yours.
Hugs.

Sandi Smith said...

So sorry to hear of your loss Helen...sending hugs and prayers to you and your family.

Bellaidea said...

Very sad, let`s hope she is happy now.... Hugs!

Debbi Tehrani said...

Helen, I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you, and I hope that heaven exists so your sister can live a joyful, pain-free life. I love that quote you shared.

jeanie g said...

Dear Helen what can I say? Nothing can describe the sorrow you are feeling for her but I'm sure your sister is smiling in Heaven now remembering your last visit. Hugs and much love to you today. xx Jean

Chantal Vandenberg said...

A lovely post, Helen. Sorry for your loss. xo

Diana said...

Helen your love and dedication to your sister are an inspiration.
She is at peace now and I hope you too will find more peace with watering your flowers and letting the weeds alone.

Blossom inch said...

sorry to hear about your loss and I know it is hard. My prayers goes to you, your sister and the entire family. Hugs and take care. xoxo

scrapping4me said...

Helen, My condolences....Losing a loved one is always hard but I am happy you are at peace with your sisters passing....your quote is very apt.

Linda Eggleton said...

So sorry to hear about the loss of your sister, Helen....big hugs to you & your family. Take care xx

alexandra s.m. said...

I am so so sorry for your loss Helen...
Hugs to you and your loved ones~

Jinny Newlin said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, Helen. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs!

Mitralee said...

honey, sending you a hug from NY! I ordered the one part I needed for the birdcage yesterday because I wanted to do "SOMETHING" for you...wish I could take you out for a coffee & a dessert!

Perform said...

Helen, I'm so very sorry to hear of this. Wishing you and your family peace and comfort~

Unknown said...

So sorry Helen..

She's in a better place now. Remember good memories will always be with you and that's how you will always remember her..The wind beneath your wings.

hugs and love to you!!

Sharm Nidyanandan said...

My condolences to you and your family over your loss...that pic of sweet lulu and your dd is priceless I'm certain she's looking upon you and smiling at the wonderful,times youve spent together..you've been an amazing sister to her and she an angel in your life..take care and hugs dear Helen

Heather McMahon said...

So sorry to read your news. I can't even imagine what life must have been like for her and what you must be going through now. Wishing you strength and courage.

Unknown said...

Oh, Helen- I'm really so very sorry for your loss. What a treasure she had with you in her life- glad you got to brighten some of her days as it seems that most were otherwise dismal for her.
She's definitely in a better place. It makes me think of a book I read a little while ago (I believe it's called "Heaven is Real", written by a boy who went to heaven when he was 4 during a life threatening surgery)- anyways, his mom was later teaching him that he always had to hold her hand when he crossed the road. One day they encountered a road kill rabbit and she said to him "See? That is what would happen to you if you didn't hold my hand when crossing the street" and the little boy was like "Oh, good! Then I can go back to heaven!"-
From the mouths of babes :)- heaven must truly be one amazing place that a child would be so unafraid of death just so he could go back there.
Glad your sister is there, living now as she should have while she was here!
Much love, my friend :),
xErin

Chantelle said...

Hi Helen, so sorry to hear about the loss of your sister - very sad news.
She is in a better place. Hoping you find strength in your family and friends that surround you - all the very best and stay strong. x

Cassandra aka Scrap Savvy said...

Helen, my heart goes out to you. So sorry for your loss. Lovely quote and so true. Flowers bring such colour and beauty into our lives. Hugs.

Vicky Varvadouka said...

Oh, Helen...I just saw this...I am really sorry for your loss...but as you said...she is in a better place now..an angel flying around in heaven!!!
xxx

Marjie Kemper said...

(((Helen))) I am so sorry for your loss, but I do understand the 'better place' thinking. I hope your recent visit gives you and your girls comfort... I remember you posting about your visit recently.

I'm sending you cyber hugs from New York. My condolences.

Marjie Kemper said...

(((Helen))) I am so sorry for your loss, but I do understand the 'better place' thinking. I hope your recent visit gives you and your girls comfort... I remember you posting about your visit recently.

I'm sending you cyber hugs from New York. My condolences.

Vicki said...

My thoughts are with you and the family. Your photos of your recent trip will certainly be treasured. Hugs.