By My Side...

 At just three years of age my life as an only child came to an abrupt end... "IT" was a sister. Now I would be forced to set the example and, share my bedroom. Evidence aside it looked as if she would be by my side for quite some time. There was the very memorable spider killing incident, Christmas Eve covert operations, and masking tape bedroom subdivision just for starters. Years went by, friends came and went and she was still by my side As a matter of fact when looking back I don't really remember her not being there.

So when the day came that I heard "CANCER" I couldn't help but relive some of the past. Too bad my mind was busy running through the scenarios as to what the future might look like. This couldn't be right, "congestive heart failure?" "fluid in the lungs?" "collapsed lung?". She was the one that always made it to the top of the hill first. My other siblings and I, yes there are others - six more space invaders, have always called her a mountain goat. Nothing made sense and I was scared.

There have always been sick people, people with disabilities, people with cancer. But non of them were in my own little world. It wasn't until after I married and had children of my own that it touched my personal life. As I transitioned into a wife and mother my sister was by my side when I needed a listening ear, someone to share a warm camp fire, a favorite recipe or a mental health day on the ski slope.

Yet again I have my sister by my side. The scenery however is a little different this time. I am back to my list making, logistical organization, hand holding, and watching amazing people gather in support around her. I will always brave the spider, Tonia, keeping you in my mind, my heart and by my side.