As I say goodbye to you today, it is one of the hardest days of my life. We were different in a lot of ways, which caused some friction from time to time in our early years. But as we grew older, we found more and more common ground. And you became not only my sister but my friend.

Family was very important to you and you ALWAYS had my back. I always had someone to play with, to hang out with and to talk to. We’ve enjoyed so many good times, adventures and so much laughter. I will miss doing our “projects” together. You have been one of my greatest blessings and I will carry you in my heart forever.

You brought a whole different prospective to my life. If we were ice cream, I would be plain strawberry. And you would be a banana split with whipped cream, extra nuts, sprinkles and a cherry on top!! Your idea that bigger has to be better always made me smile because that was my sister! You liked to travel and go, go, go, while I’m a homebody. You loved to experience new things and I liked to read. I will miss your love for life and your smile, sis. I’ve learned so much from you. And having you in my life has made me a better person. I thank you for that.

Do you remember begging me to go to town sometimes? Then, come to find out you would be almost out of gas and you didn’t want to be alone if you ran out. Dad would ask how much gas you had and you would say a half of an eighth of a tank! Remember the boat dock and all the fun times at the lake? Remember raising the chinchillas in the basement? But you were terrified of them and I had to catch them for you if one got out. Remember the shopping trips? It’s so amazing that sales ladies knew you by name and what you liked. Remember the “bakery” we made using dad’s concrete and jumping in the chat pile? Mom always knew what we’d been up to when she saw our shoes! Remember the pack rat that got in your car? Every time you turned on the air conditioner, dog food came out of the vents. And you just said, “I don’t know why it does that!” Remember the fish cake? You decorated a pretty two layer cake but used mom’s left over fish grease in the icing by accident! Remember leaving the house first every morning and me passing you every day on the way to school? My car had a bigger motor and you couldn’t stand it. You’d say, “Dad, make her stop!” You didn’t have to be first this time either, sis.

I’m not a stranger to cancer and I’m so sorry it came after you too. In October 2016, I finished my last cancer related surgery. Then a little later that same month, you had surgery and found out that you had cancer too. I watched you endure your own almost three year cancer journey with multiple rounds of chemo and radiation. I saw your loving husband make the journey with you every step of the way and care for you. And I will always be thankful to him for that. I saw your pain and it broke my heart. I watched you fight hard. I saw your strength and how very brave you were. And during it all, I saw your faith shining thru.

God heard our prayers. His answer may not have been what we wanted to hear but we know it was the very best thing for you. And we hold to His promises. We know that you now have perfect healing, no more pain and no more tears. We know that this is NOT an end for you. You’ve just gone home to rest. You’ve won your battle. You’ve finished your race. This is the beginning of a new and incredible journey for you. So please save me a seat, sis. I love you so very much and I’ll see you soon! – Teresa

Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Lamentations 3:32 But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.