Time doesn't heal all wounds but it can lessen their sting. Today is my sister's birthday, or would have been, however you look at it when someone isn't here anymore.
Linda was born on February 3, 1969. She was a cute baby and a good-natured one, too. Linda was very artistic. Our school had an annual "Spring Fling" and 4th graders (if I remember that right) were asked to make posters to advertise it. A winning poster would be chosen and Linda's was chosen. It hung near the cafeteria with a blue ribbon on it and I'd tell all my friends, with extreme pride, that was my sister's poster. She won other poster contests, too. She was the kind of child who colored inside the lines, colored in all one direction, and used colors that went well together. One time she made a salt-dough map of the world and that thing was PERFECT. I think each continent was a different color. I think my mom still has it. She had long, slender hands and used them to do kind things for others. She also played the piano and learned really quickly. She had very neat handwriting, too. Her room was always tidy and during the times when we had to share, I felt bad for her because I was anything but tidy! Our room, at one time, was set up with her bed just inside the door and my bed across the room. Our beds were separated by two tall dressers, one facing her direction and one facing mine. (Genius, Mom...pure genius!) I think we would use the back of the other's dresser as a bulletin board? We had really cool beds that had drawers underneath for storage. Linda's side was always so neat; my side often had clothes, shoes, and other items on the floor between my bed and the dressers. She and I could walk through the same mud puddle and I'd be covered from head-to-toe, she'd be clean. I was the Oscar to her Felix.
It wasn't long after she was born that my parents were told she had a genetic disorder called Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Her life wasn't about CF but unfortunately I have very few memories of Linda because I was 10 when she died (she was 11) and the ones I do have usually involve her illness, hospitalization, or treatments. I'll never forget one time she was too sick to even walk into the hospital so my big, burly dad carried her. That sight would crack even the toughest nut. When we were younger, maybe 4 and 5?, Linda went into the hospital and I wasn't allowed to go in. I remember being outside and looking up at her window where she stood waving at me. She made friends easily and some of the best ones she made were also CF patients who were frequently in the hospital the same time she was.
I often wonder what memories we would have made, what it would have been like to see her drive a car or have a job, get married and have children,or just be like everyone else. I look forward to the time when illness can't weaken our bodies and death and separation are no more because I know we have that promise.
Happy Birthday, Linda!
From Wikipedia:
Cystic fibrosis (also known as CF or mucoviscidosis) is a common hereditary disease which affects the entire body, causing progressive disability and often, early death. The name cystic fibrosis refers to the characteristic scarring (fibrosis) and cyst formation within the pancreas, first recognized in the 1930s.[1] Difficulty breathing is the most serious symptom and results from frequent lung infections that are treated, though not cured, by antibiotics and other medications. A multitude of other symptoms, including sinus infections, poor growth, diarrhea, and infertility result from the effects of CF on other parts of the body.
CF is caused by a mutation in a gene called the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). This gene helps create sweat, digestive juices, and mucus.
