Today is a special day so a big Happy Birthday shout out to my sis in heaven .

I was the last child of six in our family, like many families after World War II our generation came in two parts. Mom and Dad started with a boy and two girls then took a break and a girl and two boys came next. Today is about my sister five years my senior, Sandy. Happy Birthday you beautiful soul.

Sandy was dad’s favorite daughter and he nicknamed her roly poly, a song by Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, covered by Jim Reeves. Sandy had a cheerful outlook on life and was a presence of powerful love that spread like fresh sunshine on a spring day. Growing up she kept me under her wing and many times took the blame for something I did to keep me out of harms way.

Sandy graduated from high school with honors and soon found love and marriage,. Shortly after this Sandy started getting headaches and after many tests the doctors found a brain tumor the size of a plum on her brain. She was taken to Indiana University’s medical unit in Indianapolis Indiana where she underwent an operation in 1972. The operation was a success and she soon returned to the normal and happy soul we all loved and adored.

About a year and a half later the tumor returned and she had to undergo another operation, this one with not so favorable results. She came out of this op with the mentality of a seven year old child, This was heartbreaking for all of the family including her husband Stan. A once vibrant person with endless possibilities ahead of her now was a child with a fantastic and fun outlook in life.

I was always close to Sandy and after this we became even closer. She used to piss me off on purpose as when we had fried chicken for supper I would always hoard my fried skin to eat after the chicken, well ,she would sneak it off my plate and then laugh like it was the funniest thing ever. Shortly after this Sandy had a stroke that left her paralyzed on her right side.

Sandy overcame all of these trails and continued to bring joy and laughter to anyone that would be around her. She went on to have two more strokes before finally falling into a coma. Rest in Peace my lovely sister, I’m still missing you.

Still Missing You

The things we did when we were kids, helped shape who I've become
You taught me how to live with happiness, And kept me out of harm
You taught me simple love and kindness, you held my hand with care
In my darkest moments I'd look for hope and you are what I'd find

 

This is a short poem and as the first snow covers the ground tears are falling down my cheek, not from sorrow but more from the loneliness of walking this path without you. I love and miss you sis, Happy Birthday.

N925 ©www.dawgydaddyresponds.org