Just two days ago I was writing about the birth of my sweet great nephew. Today, I am thinking about loss. Life is a crazy thing.
In my family, I am the only child of my mom and dad. Before they were married to each other, they were each married to someone else and each had two kids. That means, I have a brother and a sister on each side. We were all raised together and all think of each other as regular siblings...none of this half or step business. We are just brothers and sisters. That's the way it's always been and that's the way it always will stay. However, it has also meant that in my world, my siblings have all had other moms or dads besides mine. As a child, that was a bit harder to wrap my brain around than it is as an adult. But, that's also all I have ever known. I have always known their other parent and their spouse.
In 2007, we lost our dad. It's a pain and a loss like no other to lose a parent. It can happen fast or slow, quick or slowly over years. It doesn't change the pain of the loss.
Yesterday, my brother and sister lost their mom. I believe in my heart that they lost her in the best possible way - in her sleep and without pain or suffering. But, it was unexpected and sudden and has created a huge hole in their hearts. They lost their mom, the one who kissed their booboo's and hugged them closer than any other, and was always their best cheerleader. I know how torn apart they are by this loss and there isn't a single thing I can do except hug them a little tighter and love them a little harder.
Life is a crazy thing. It can change in an instant, for better or worse.
You definitely feel their pain like only a true sibling would. This Clara Luz Zuniga Ortgea quote helped me get through a recent loss in our family. I hope it helps you and your siblings:
ReplyDeleteTo the outside world we grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time.
Life really does change quickly. Thanks for this important reminder...
ReplyDelete"Life really does change quickly." Your love for them is obvious. May time bring them and you peace.
ReplyDeleteYour powerful post talks of the juxtaposition of life and loss. It seems that the two go together. Yet, I want to also comment a congratulations to your parents - all of them - who knew more was better. We can ALL use more parents in our lives!
ReplyDelete