Sisters
Tracy Lee • April 13, 2020
Years ago, my sister had an argument with my husband. At the time, I was out of state visiting a dear friend who was being baptised along with her husband, and four children. When I returned home, my mother and my sister refused to have a familial relationship with me based on the events that transpired while I was away. Indeed, they did not talk to me for ten years.
Initially, I was gravely wounded. Suddenly I was no longer welcome at family events. My sister even refused to attend my middle daughter’s baptism. She would not return my salutations if we found ourselves at the same place in town. It was very awkward and embarrassing, but even more so, emotionally and spiritually painful.
As the years progressed, our relationship continued to deteriorate. My sister was unfriendly to my children. My relationship with her children was severed as well. My daughter missed her cousins. After a few years, my mother called me and said that I needed to mend the fence between my sister and I. I didn’t see any way to accomplish my mother’s wishes as my sister refused to acknowledge my existence.
Eventually, the place that my sister held in my heart was filled with other people. I found friends who were very kind to me, and who loved me. They were happy to do things with me, to go places with me, to have me over for their children’s milestones, and to attend the events marking the milestones within the lives of my children. Life has continued on this way for quite some time, and I have become very comfortable with it.
My sister and I now live in different states rather than down the street from each other. I rarely see her or hear from her. She has recently divorced and during the dissolution of her marriage, she would call me when she felt despair. We would talk for a while. I would remind her of her strengths and finer qualities. We would discuss her options, and once her confidence would return, we would conclude our conversations.
I was talking with my youngest daughter last week. She is having a milestone event at the end of this week and then she will be gone for eighteen months. It just so happens that my sister is going to be in town, along with two of her children, when this event takes place. The obvious question is, should we invite her? Familial obligations require that we do. Our other guests, family members, would feel much relieved if we would. Here is the issue, my children barely know my sister. They feel no familial obligation toward her. The few times they have been around her have not been pleasant times. Due to the mote between us, I am quite indifferent toward her myself. Twenty years ago, I would have invited her and been heartbroken at her absence. Twenty years ago, I did invite her. Her absence crushed the heart of my eight-year-old when her aunt refused to attend her baptism.
As I sit and ponder the situation this morning, I am annoyed that there is even a question. My duty is to my immediate family, my child. My sister is now my extended family and as such, qualifies as a secondary consideration. (If being a funeral director has done nothing else for me, it has clarified line of kinship; its responsibilities, legalities, and obligations.) If I invite my sister, I wonder will there be discomfort? Might she refuse to attend and cast a feeling of rejection on the heart of my youngest daughter as she did twenty years ago upon the heart of my older daughter? Her history indicates the likelihood of these worries. This occasion is so sacred, so anticipated, and so life changing that I do not want anything to mar its beauty. Indeed, I have cancelled many obligations and put off many events to protect the final few weeks I shall spend with my daughter before she leaves.
My siblings have asked me to consider my sister’s feelings and invite her. I know they would feel much more comfortable if I would, and I have given it much thought. My daughter’s accomplishment, however, is not my sister’s – it is my daughter’s. The event should be protected against any distractions and unpleasantness. Unfortunately, having my sister there has the potential for both.
As a funeral director, I see all too often the regret and guilt my clients feel over situations like this one. I continually advise them to mend fences and forgive each other. I do not want to go to my grave, nor do I wish for my sister to go to her grave with deep regrets that could easily be nullified with simple apologies and forgiveness. This weekend, however, is not about my sister and me, it is about my daughter and I. It is a time for me to concentrate, witness, and facilitate my youngest daughter’s life change from being my little girl to being an adult woman. By the way, my sister’s son will be enjoying this same event in his life three months from now. Although I am very happy for him, I do not anticipate an invitation.
Disclaimer: My sister probably has a different opinion on this matter
The past two weeks have been difficult for me. I have suffered the loss of a dear friend and have served families that have suffered great losses. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unwarranted loss, stress, and heartache to so many people this year. Not only have we lost loved ones, but we have lost our economy, our comfort, and our security as Americans. Everywhere I look, it seems that people are rude and uncaring toward each other when what we need is love. I wish we could be kind to each other, considerate to each other, and help each other through our difficulties rather than burning cities, burning businesses, and tearing apart what makes up great, our Union. Americans are the most blessed people in the world. We live in a time of convenience and wealth. Why is it then that we can’t add kindness and respect to our society? Why must there be murders and brutal attacks on innocent people walking down the street? I work with families every day who would give all that they have for just one more moment with their loved one to say, “I’m sorry” or “I love you.” Time is so precious, but even more precious is the way that we treat others. For if we treat others with contempt, we will reap the bitter reward of hatred. Hate eats a person from the inside out, and no matter how hard a hateful person tries to find happiness, it will never come to them. I know this because I see it every day. A hateful heart has no room for happiness. Happiness only comes to those who love. Love is like light. Light is the only thing that is stronger than the dark. If you have a completely dark room and you strike a match, the light from that match will push the darkness away and light up the room. Conversely, if you have a room filled with light and you cup your hands to create a spot of darkness. As soon as you open your hands, the dark is gone. Light overpowers it just as love overpowers hate. Love is the only thing that is stronger than hate. If you strike an ember of love in the heart of someone full of hate, love will grow and overtake their hatred. In my profession, love is very important. I see all too often those who have pushed love aside thinking that they were winning an argument or for some other ridiculous reason. What I see when this happens is that at the end of life, those who were foolish and let hatred get the best of them suffer the most. They remain miserable for the rest of their lives. Don’t be one of these people. Don’t let hatred get the best of you. And most assuredly, let us not allow hatred to overtake our country. I don’t want to live in a world filled with hatred and discontent. I want happiness and love for all. I especially want love in your life when you suffer loss because believe me, when the grim reaper knocks, it’s too late to cry for one more moment to say, “I’m sorry” or “I love you.” At that moment, the weight of hatred crushes every hope you ever had to make amends, to accomplish happiness, or to right any wrong you may have perpetrated. It’s too late and you are the person who will suffer the consequences of your vicious actions. You are the person who will have no friends, no love, and who will die alone; miserable because of your hatred and terrible deeds. I know because I see it in so many people who thought they could just make a statement, a judgment, or an action and not suffer the consequences. In the end, it’s the hateful people who suffer the consequences. They die alone without love or support. Their needs are not met and they writhe in misery. I lost a dear friend this past week. He was kind, loving, and good. He made the world a better place, and he made my life happier through his actions of kindness toward me. I wish everyone alive could have known my friend. Christ died to make man holy, and my friend John took up his offer. John was a holy man. He lived his life serving others, teaching others, and helping anyone who needed help. He was filled with love and he shared his love with those who needed it. If we could all be like John, the world would be an amazingly happy and beautiful place. John is gone and I feel the weight of his loss deeply in my soul. He leaves a legacy of service to our nation, service to Christ, and service to anyone who needed it. He was a good man, a great man, and now he is gone. I will have the honor of directing his memorial service in a few days. The church will be bursting as those who John served make their way there to express their sorrow and love for him. I will be one of those people. John’s legacy will continue in his absence because he ignited goodness, love, and service in the hearts of those about him. May we all understand and embrace John’s mission in life to serve and love our fellow beings. Doing so will bring us the greatest rewards. It will fill our lives with the greatest gifts on earth; joy, happiness, and love. This is my prayer for you, for our nation, and for the world during this time of uncertainty and discontent. Thank you, John, for being my friend, and my God bless you as you arrive home, never to suffer more, the pains of the world nor heartaches of men. Godspeed.
I received a first call late last night and was therefore at the hospital when I ran into an acquaintance of mine. As we spoke, she told me that her father had recently died. She began to cry and I offered to send over a set of my grief books (Mourning Light I, II, & III) to her office the following morning. I wrote her a sympathy card and delivered the books about 15 minutes ago. She had not yet arrived at her office, so I left the books and card with her secretary. The following is the note I wrote in the sympathy card. I thought I would share it, in hopes that it might help others who mourn as well. Dear Friend, February will be the 2nd anniversary of my grandson’s death. It is said that “Death is Final”; that is untrue. The pain and loneliness remain in my soul, and it feels as though I held his lifeless body, yesterday, in my arms. That day broke me; it almost killed me. Had I not had the love and support of my husband and children, I don’t think my sanity would have remained with me. The pain continues to crush my soul with anguish. There are 4 things that have helped me survive the debilitating pain of losing my grandson, and I wanted to share them with you in hopes that you might find peace in them as well. Prayer Prayer was, and continues to be, my saving grace. Without the love and promise of Christ’s redeeming grace, peace would remain unobtainable. Recounting my Experience Sharing my story out loud made it real. It took away my fear. It gave me power over the chaos of pain. Information As a certified grief counselor, knowing what to expect and whether it was normal or abnormal helped keep my worries at bay. The books that I have sent over are filled with information, plainly and simply written, to help you understand and identify the symptoms of grief, as well as recovery’s signs and secrets. Journaling Writing down my anguishes, thoughts, pains, worries, and fears helped me to let them go. I was able to organize myself, and it gave me hope for my future. I am sorry for the dreadful sorrow in your heart, and the pain that infiltrates your daily existence. I understand that breathing feels unnatural, it takes effort to continue on, and that peace eludes you. I wish that death did not exist, but it is a reality that the both of us know all too well; one that we must endure. I believe that families are forever, that we are all God’s children, and that we will reunite with our loved ones across the veil as we too, one day, experience death. Until that day arrives, however, I pray that you and I will live our lives as emissaries of Christ, basking in his grace, and recipients of his glory. I hope that as you suffer the loss of your daddy that you will feel comfortable in reaching out to others, and that you might call me should you need assistance. The pain of grief should never be carried nor suffered in silence, nor alone. Reach out and allow those who love and care for you to lighten your burdens. Life will never be as it once was, but it will improve as you share priceless moments of peace with those who remain by your side. I hold you in high esteem, and pray that Christ’s promise will grace your soul. With Deepest Regards, Tracy Lee My name is Tracy Renee Lee. I am a Certified Grief Counselor (GC-C), Funeral Director (FDIC), published author, syndicated columnist, and co-founder of the “Mikey Joe Children’s Memorial” and Heaven Sent, Corp. I write books, weekly bereavement articles, and Grief BRIEFs related to understanding and coping with grief. I am the American Funeral Director of the Year Runner-Up and recipient of the BBB’s Integrity Award. It is my life's work to comfort the bereaved and help them live on, as well as educate adults in the needs of surviving children.