Safe Home

A couple of days ago, I wrote about my sister Helen. Tuesday, I attended her final service, held in Texas. It was a tribute planned by her children and grandchildren and Helen would have been pleased because her life centered around her family. Each one told a bit about what she had meant to them. They shared warm memories, those happy and bright times with their mom and grandma. They read two of her poems that she had written years ago. My sister was a writer too.

Even though our hearts were heavy, we had each been blessed with her presence in this life. Several people mentioned her laugh. It was infectious, carefree, and spontaneous. She made everyone who heard her want to laugh. It seemed to us gathered there that her time on earth had been far too brief and, if we had had our way, we would have kept her, but that was not to be.

Helen would have been glad too, that after the service, we shared bits of our lives with each other, catching up on things. As one of her grandchildren said, There is healing with family. And that’s true.

I actually can’t say good-bye to this dear sister of mine. I’m kind of like my Grandpa Latty. He didn’t approve of good-byes either. So, I’ll leave Helen the warmth of an old Irish blessing and simply say,”I love you, Sis. Safe home.”