Mourning Tribute

April 5th marks the one year date that my mother, two sisters, myself and the rest of our family buried my brother, who passed away of a heart attack in the car while traveling with another sister to visit my other sister, who died just three days later from Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Meanwhile, in another state, I was undergoing multiple MRIs, CT scans, and visits to a Neurologist and several other specialists to help diagnose why my brain and body were spinning out of control.

I received last minute medical approval to travel to their dual funerals.  The sadness of that time is still overwhelming. Our family was forever shattered, and my mom was forced to suffer the unthinkable, not only burying one child, but two at the same time. With the death of another sister, a baby girl who lived to be a year old with a heart condition, my mother had the horrific honor of placing half of her six children into God's eternal care.

My two sisters and I spoke at their funerals. As the one year anniversary approaches, I'd like to share my sentiments that I spoke on that heart wrenching day...

"Being the youngest of my brother and sisters, by a few years, has given me a different perspective. Much of their early years were gone. Paul was a young adult and Malinda a teen by the time I was fully aware. Hearing them talk about the old house, the fun family parties, family trips, and of course, church pageants and events, always made me wish I could have been there and enjoyed the youth of my bright eyed, super intelligent brother, and my toe haired and very nurturing older sister. But the truth is, that while I might not remember their youth, my brother and sisters have always remembered mine. Each of them, whether they ever knew it or not, have been my teachers as I've grown and developed. I have looked up to each and every one of them at some point in my life. Like when I visited Paul at the University radio station, watching him engineer the Big Board...I was so mesmerized. He was so very smart, just naturally. Or when my sister Malinda took my five year old body and hoisted me on her shoulders for a pageant routine. She was so shaky at that young age, but she gritted thru and pulled it off on shear determination. I've watched and learned so very much from my siblings...my teachers. They each have played a pivotal role in the person I am today. I am painfully sad that our family is so dramatically altered, but I am so grateful for the lessons taught by my brother, Paul, and sister, Malinda, and I am comforted that they can both now Rest In Peace. I love you both."