It has been 9 years without my sister, Brenda, and I still miss her like crazy! She passed away March 25, 1999 due to several health reasons. I was really feeling depressed yesterday - I drowned my sorrows in too many Easter treats and a banana split after dinner...so much for our new diet! At least I ate salad for lunch.
As I thought about all the junk I ate I remembered how cute Brenda was about taking care of herself and keeping healthy even though she had so many illnesses. She would do her nightly "work out" which consisted of a few sit ups, those bum crunches where you squeeze your cheeks in, (sorry) and this waist twisting exercise that she claimed got rid of love handles. Then she'd get a huge glass of water and we'd watch Seinfeld or Dawson's Creek.
I don't know how many of you know this but Brenda was put on oxygen when she was about 21 and had to carry that oxygen tank everywhere she went. You can only imagine the type of staring that took place, especially from children. She never complained about it and knew it was helping her to feel better. I can't imagine what a burden that must've been, especially at that age when you are trying to fit in and have a good time. Brenda's illnesses stemmed back to her Elementary school years but she was feeling so good during her high school years and relished her times in Step Aerobics. After she got the oxygen, she had high hopes that someday she'd be done with the oxygen and back to doing aerobics again and I honestly thought it would happen too. At 23, she passed away. I do miss her so much...I think about her daily and wish she were here. It hurts that Maya won't know her and it hurts that I am starting to forget things - just everyday things that Brenda did. Now that I have a child of my own I truly respect my parents and how they have handled losing a child. I don't know how they did it.
Maybe she is up there doing step aerobics now? I hope so.
4 comments:
Tara - I found this blog through Kristi's. It has been so fun to read about your cute little girl and how you are all doing. I enjoyed your post about Brenda. She was such a sweet girl and we were looking forward to having her be our neighbor. I always remember this day because we were getting ready to move into our house and fixing it up. We had just talked to her the day before all of this. It was such a sad day - but I guess good that she is out of all her pain and suffering. I hope that you have can cheer up and have a good day tomorrow. Miss you and your family! Thanks for sharing your memories. Andrea Lindsey
I am sure Brenda spent some time with Maya and gave her a few traits that you will notice over the next few years. Brenda was amazing and she taught us all so much.
I wish we would have had a lot more time with her, but cherish the memories we have.
It has been fun watching yours and Missy's families grow. Brenda would be so proud. And she would LOVE to blog.
Keep up on the postings,
Lori Cornwall Zoun
You guys are such an amazing close family! What great memories you do have! Thanks for sharing Tara and we really need to get together!
It sounds like your sister was an amazing person, one that we all need to learn from. Thanks for sharing.
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