07 September 2009

One love

My sister lay there, intubated, paralyzed, her lips cracked and dry around the plastic tube that had been forced down her throat.

I sat there alone with her, listening to the machines beep and hum, the air being forced in and out of her body.

"I wish we were at a Neville Brothers concert instead of doing this," I said.

Her eyes widened. She turned her head toward me. Around the tube, she mouthed, "No shit."

Both of us sat there in silence, tears leaking from our eyes.

"Oh, god, this sucks," I said. That was the last thing I remember saying to her. Doctors came in, the bustle of the hospital started, and she died the next morning.

*******

Yesterday I sat in the shade on a hillside on a perfect warm day, thousands of people in beach chairs crowding the hill below me, a open-air stage at the bottom.

When the Neville Brothers took the stage, I burst into tears again, remembering. CC and Jim comforted me as I spilled my story.

Then I went down and bounced around like a dancing fool on the lawn in front of the stage.

When Aaron sang a medley of "Amazing Grace," "One Love" and "Train to Jordan," my heart was stretched wide open with joy. I know she was there with me. She had to be.

Neville bros 350 px

21 comments:

Victoria said...

HUGS to you, brave lady. What a wonderful tribute.

kimberly/tippytoes said...

Beautiful post.

Angella said...

I am so, so sorry.

Hugs to you today, and forever.

dotlizard said...

((hugs)) glad you were able to celebrate life, & so, so sorry for your loss.

Heather said...

When I saw you mention the concert yesterday, I had no idea how much it meant. Thank you for sharing. *hugs*

Elizabeth said...

Beautiful tribute. I'm sure she was there. Hugs!!!

mayberry said...

It's amazing what music can do when you're mourning, or celebrating, or both.

Count Mockula said...

Well, you made me cry again Suebob! That was a lovely tribute to your sister.

Lynnea said...

Suebob, you are such a beautiful person. I'm glad she was there with you.

flutter said...

Oh, honey....

Kizz said...

So glad you got to do that.

dobbs said...

Take comfort in the fact that our loved ones live on in our hearts and in our memories *hugs*

Kalyn Denny said...

I do really think she was there. (Hugs)

J said...

Oh, you break my heart. Very well said. Nice that she was with you at the concert after all, huh?

Elan Morgan said...

I'm so glad you found her again in that moment.

Anonymous said...

I've never seen the Neville Brothers, but I'd like to think we are kindred spirits in a way. They've lived life, and celebrate it with a joy that knows no bounds.

Just wanted to swing by and thank you for your kind words at Flutter's. More than happiness, I long for contentment. Something not fleeting . . .

I'll be around . . .

super des said...

aw :)
hugs

Elvie said...

Love you lots.
She sure has been around a lot lately.
E

Maggie, Dammit said...

Oooof. Beautiful.

Suzanne said...

This is such a beautiful post. But as your sister said, "No shit."

My thoughts are with you.

Anonymous said...

I just forwarded your post (re W.D. Bauer) to my sister-in-law, but was curious to know more about you. Now each September I will think of you and yours as well. Thank you for sharing. I too believe she was there with you :)

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