Transplanted Buckeye

Here is part of my family at Hilton Head Island. Front row: nephew Tyler, son Thomas, brother Chuckie, my mom. Back row: sister Lora, my dad, sister-in-law Vicky.

This particular picture was taken on the next to last day I saw my sister. I wonder how that vacation would have been different had we all known what would happen five months later.

Lora loved Hilton Head. She organized this vacation for my family, and we were blessed to spend so much time together that week.

Among other things, Lora loved being with family. She was painfully shy growing up. I remember her not even being able to call for a pizza. She became more bold in college, as the shy often do.

Lora was near the top of her high school class. She was bright and diligent when it came to schoolwork. She was always a favorite of teachers because she always did her work, and she never caused any problems in class.

As a wife and mother, she was wonderful. During those years of pain from scleroderma and lupus, I never heard her whine or complain about it. Her joints ached so badly in her last year that her son had to turn the key on the ignition for her. She volunteered as room mother at Tyler's school, and was supportive of her husband in every way.

A word about her husband, my brother-in-law. He was an excellent husband to my sister. He took care of her in every circumstance. They met in college, during their Freshman year. Lora was the Sweetheart of Dan's fraternity, and was chosen to ride in the homecoming parade her senior year.

Oh, my relationship with Lora was not without problems. We fought a lot growing up, as sisters do. But time healed much of that, and we were very close when she passed away. She gave child-rearing advice to me, and loved my son as her own.

Marking her birthday this year was easier than other years. I knew more how I would feel. I've become more open with more people about my grief, which continues. October 11th will always hurt. Yet I cannot help but be thankful that God blessed me with such a sister.