In Loving Memory of Nina ...
Today I found out that my good friend, Marija, lost her sister.
Nina was a beautiful, intelligent, fiery young woman of only 21. She passed away on September 27th in an auto accident. She is being laid to rest today.
Nina was full of energy, and spunk. She spoke in blunt honesty and never apologized for who she was. Although I did not know her extremely well, and she was much younger than me, I always admired her confidence, candor, and spirit.
I hurt for her family. As a mother, I can not imagine the pain her parents feel. I especially hurt for my friend Marija.
Nina and Marija were not just sisters, but the best of friends. They spent nearly all their free time together and shared everything. I have never seen two sisters so close. Marija lost her sister and best friend.
Of course Nina will be carried in their hearts and in our memories, but so will the pain. A wonderful young life is over, and it happened in a moment. The only conciliation is that she knew she was loved, and that she loved. She and her family were very close, and they never failed to express how much they loved one another. The same in her friendships. I have hope that this validation will carry my friend and her family through their pain.
It also reminds me why I tell the people in my life that I love them every chance I get. I don't just throw those words around. When I say it, I mean it. I express it in my actions too.
But I also think of those that I have a strained relationship with. Those that I may not say I love you to. Those that I wish I talked to more often. In an instant I could lose my chance to let them know how I feel. Even if it is just to make peace.
I know we have heard it all before. But we file it away for another day, assuming that we will have the time. I hope we all do. But really, in that moment, will you have that little bit of peace knowing they knew? Or you? Will you know how they felt before they passed on?
Because, Marija doesn't have her sister to pick on anymore, she doesn't have her best friend to shop with, her keeper of secrets, her closest love. She has lost her, in an instant. There will be an empty place at the table, a sense of incompletion at every family event, a hole in their hearts. All my sweet friend has of her sister are precious (few) memories and the knowledge of their love.
That is so very little, and barely enough. But in a time like this, it is all you have to hold on to. That is all you have to get through each day. Do you have that with the people in your life? Really?
Hug the ones you can, call the ones you can't.
May the angels greet Nina with open arms and tender love. And may they comfort my dear friend, and her family, in this time of need, and for the rest of their lives.
Today I found out that my good friend, Marija, lost her sister.
Nina was a beautiful, intelligent, fiery young woman of only 21. She passed away on September 27th in an auto accident. She is being laid to rest today.
Nina was full of energy, and spunk. She spoke in blunt honesty and never apologized for who she was. Although I did not know her extremely well, and she was much younger than me, I always admired her confidence, candor, and spirit.
I hurt for her family. As a mother, I can not imagine the pain her parents feel. I especially hurt for my friend Marija.
Nina and Marija were not just sisters, but the best of friends. They spent nearly all their free time together and shared everything. I have never seen two sisters so close. Marija lost her sister and best friend.
Of course Nina will be carried in their hearts and in our memories, but so will the pain. A wonderful young life is over, and it happened in a moment. The only conciliation is that she knew she was loved, and that she loved. She and her family were very close, and they never failed to express how much they loved one another. The same in her friendships. I have hope that this validation will carry my friend and her family through their pain.
It also reminds me why I tell the people in my life that I love them every chance I get. I don't just throw those words around. When I say it, I mean it. I express it in my actions too.
But I also think of those that I have a strained relationship with. Those that I may not say I love you to. Those that I wish I talked to more often. In an instant I could lose my chance to let them know how I feel. Even if it is just to make peace.
I know we have heard it all before. But we file it away for another day, assuming that we will have the time. I hope we all do. But really, in that moment, will you have that little bit of peace knowing they knew? Or you? Will you know how they felt before they passed on?
Because, Marija doesn't have her sister to pick on anymore, she doesn't have her best friend to shop with, her keeper of secrets, her closest love. She has lost her, in an instant. There will be an empty place at the table, a sense of incompletion at every family event, a hole in their hearts. All my sweet friend has of her sister are precious (few) memories and the knowledge of their love.
That is so very little, and barely enough. But in a time like this, it is all you have to hold on to. That is all you have to get through each day. Do you have that with the people in your life? Really?
Hug the ones you can, call the ones you can't.
May the angels greet Nina with open arms and tender love. And may they comfort my dear friend, and her family, in this time of need, and for the rest of their lives.
posted by Cindy at 12:26 PM
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