Eight years ago yesterday, I was in Chicago meeting my new little granddaughter Maggie. I can’t remember who called on the telephone, probably one of my nieces, Cindy or Sharon. I just remember the tears starting as I realized what she was going to tell me. My beloved sister Gerry had lost her battle with ALS. I hadn’t said a word but Maggie’s precious mom took one look at me and her tears started too. I was due to fly to Memphis in a week and spend time with Gerry. It wasn’t meant to be. I changed my flight and flew home for her funeral service instead.
Gerry was one in a million. I’ve written about her before. If you’ve read my blog very long, then you know she was my guardian angel. The one I fled to when my heart was broken. Fifteen years older, she was the one who always made sure I had what I needed. The one who saved an engraved, gold Elgin watch for me until I was twelve and old enough for it (she had won it for being President of the Mississippi 4H when she was eighteen). She was so good to everyone, not just me, but I was her baby sister and that’s what she always called me. Her baby sister.
She loved the Lord with all her heart and I know she’s loving Heaven. If there are angel biscuits to be made in Heaven, she’s the best one for that job. Faithful to the end. It was hard flying back to Oregon after her memorial service. Back in Oregon, I would sit at my computer overlooking the beautiful mountains in the distance and I would cry. Evidently, I cried too long for my husband at the time asked “are you EVER going to quit crying?!” I didn’t know there was a time limit on grief, but I tried to cheer up. It wasn’t his fault really. He hadn’t known her very well and certainly not like I did. We were divorced a year later.
Each year gets a little easier. I miss her and my sister Dot so much. She and my oldest sister Dot are keeping Mama and Daddy company in Heaven. They’re wondering when Eunice and I are going to get there but let’s hope it’s a little while longer. In the meantime, I’ll remember the good times and cherish the sweet memories.
Below: Gerry in front of the pond down from their “house on the hill”…
Below: Gerry, Bill, Eunice and Dot. Just Eunice and I are left now. The rest are in Heaven.
