Seaside and Lollipops: When someone leaves us

There are all kinds of ways to leave and everyone experiences them either by themselves or vicariously through others. I have always liked the song, "Someone's Always Sayin Goodbye" by Ann Murray. It describes the true feelings we go through when someone leaves us be it temporarily or for this life through passing away.

Sometimes we're caught by surprise when someone leaves us sooner than we would have dreamed possible. Because we chose not to ever think that this could happen it throws us when it comes. Sometimes our feelings of sadness are all the more deepened because we thought we would leave before they would.

When a sister passes, especially one you didn't get to spend a lot of time with; you wonder why you didn't take more pictures with her when you had the chance to be together. You also realize and ponder the truth that in time you will say goodbye to others you love.

So what do you do? You sit and you "think, think, think," as Pooh would say. Then you come to the conclusion that you will remember the good times and the laughter, and the tears that rolled out of your eyes while you were laughing together because that is what she would want you to do. You remember the zillion little things you did as children that brought sister laughter and sister fighting. You remember each moment whether good, bad, sad or happy for it is every single moment and all kinds of moments that built your relationship with each other. If I could have a picture of me with her it would be of me chasing her as a child and threatening to pinch her with my toes and her screaming and running as fast as she could to get away; or a picture of us riding on TRAX to Salt Lake in recent years and talking all the way as fast as we could so we could catch up from living so far apart for so long; or sitting on a bench at Gardner Village eating salt water taffy alternately crying and laughing depending on what we were talking about. Why didn't I snap those moments? Maybe somethings are better unphotographed but kept in the mind for instant recall. Sorry now! I guess I'll have to sketch them.

Each life that touches ours for good reflects thiny own great mercy, Lord;