In Sweet Memory

Five years ago today, my sister, Kristen, died tragically in a car accident. She was a young mother of two. I miss her dearly. Sometimes it seems that it was yesterday (when I feel the pain). Sometimes it feels longer (when I try to remember the last time I saw her; the last time I talked to her; the last time I heard her voice). All week, my chest has felt a tightness when I thought of her and the impending anniversary. Actually, most times I think of her my chest tightens and I feel sad. Sometimes, when I think of her I smile. But most times, I'm sad.
She was a wonderful girl. A wonderful mom. Very sweet. And funny. And many more wonderful qualities.

She died on my parents' 35th wedding anniversary. She died when Mason was two weeks old. Mason, Spenser, and Sawyer have never met her. Taylor, Carter, and Jackson vaguely remember her. Yet, they all know her. From the photos. From the stories. From her children, Alana and Timmy. I try to keep her memory alive. It's all I have left.

(Krissy was famous for her self-portraits. This is one of Krissy with her daughter, Alana. The top photo is of me and Kristen the night before her wedding.)