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Losing a loved one is one of the hardest things we, as humans, will experience in our life. Even if you know they are not going to make it, it is still hard to accept. I\’ve been there too many times.
The hardest loved one to lose was my daughter. She was six years old and died as the result of a hospital accident. Yes, these things happen. Then came aunts and uncles who were close to me. My parents deaths were also hard to take, but I think I have grieved more for my sister than anyone in a long time.
My sister, Barbara Judith Anderson Galloway was three years my junior. We grew up in a small town, Rogersville, Tennessee. We went to school at Rogersville Elementary and then to Rogersville High School. We walked home from school when the weather was good. I was the one with the messy hair at the end of the day, socks eaten by my shoes, and my blouses hanging out of my skirts. Barbara was a neat as she was at the beginning of the day. I never could understand how she could stay so neat. I was dirty and a mess when we came home.
She married Joe Galloway of Parkersburg, West Virginia. He was a preacher, and they lived all over the East and in the country of Finland. I was so proud of them and the work they did for the Lord. Barbara and Joe had four children, Ed, Jon, Brian, and Judy.
Judy texted me to call her Tuesday, September 22. When I did, I found out my sister was dying. She had been ill for some time, but we didn\’t expect her to go so fast. At 9:45 a.m., she slipped away.
My heart is breaking still today. I miss not knowing she is here with us. I will miss my visits to Alabama and the window visits I had with her. Sometimes she remembered I was there, and sometimes she didn\’t. That doesn\’t matter, I know I was there.
Our family lives around the world. Due to the coronavirus, we will have to have a service later when we can get together. We will have a private Zoom memorial with only the immediate family this week. I miss her. I know I will see her again. We will start a conversation like we did before. I know she is happy now and without pain. That is what I want for her, but I\’m a selfish human. We cannot keep our family with us forever, but we can keep our memories. Hold fast to them. They will keep you during the dark days.
So very nice! Thank you for your kind words about our mom. We love you!
It helped me to talk about her. Love all of you.
It is so hard to lose a family member or close friend. I’ve lost plenty. With each death, (quoting my brother), “…it leaves another empty place in our hearts.”
Kathy, I will keep you in my prayers. May God fill that empty place with joy and fond memories.
Thank you, Laurean. Heaven is getting fuller of my friends and family. We all have those empty places.
Kathy, I am so hurt for you. I choke as I write this, but I’ve known you long enough now to know and admire your resilience no matter how difficult to achieve. I also know it helps very little to say, “I’ve been where you are,” but I have. So, hoping it helps even a little, I will say it: After four years, I still miss Gloria. My love and prayers–and appreciation–are with you. Jacqueline
Thank you, my friend.
Kathy, I am so hurt for you. I choke up as I write this, but I have known you long enough to know and admire your resilience. I know it will help very little to say, “I’ve been there,” but I have. So hoping you’ll receive a tiny bit of comfort from it, I will admit that I still miss Gloria whom I lost in 2016, but I laugh more with her now than I cry about her. You have my love, prayer, and appreciation. Jacqueline
It does help. The pain is not so raw today, you know how that is. We’ve been through a lot, you and I. I love your wisdom and I appreciate your friendship.
That was beautiful, Kathy. I’m so glad we have the hope that only Jesus can give us!
Thank you Regina. I miss her so much. We fought like cats and dogs sometimes, but she was always there for me.
I’m sorry you had to endure loosing a daughter that age. I hope God blessings shower you the rest of your life. Death is so permanent. Only by experience one can know about it. Trust to our Lord is the only thing i have been doing with it.
Thank you, Craig. We were so grateful to have her in our life for six years. She brought so many blessings to us. I miss her, but I’ll see her again one day. God has been good to us.