Thursday 28 February 2013

to be thankful

There are moments in our lives that we just don't forget.. I am sure we can all recall where we were and what we were doing when we heard about Princess Diana's death, 9/11 plane crashes, and other tragic events in our lives. Some of these moments happened so many years ago but we can recall them as if they were yesterday (ask me what I actually did yesterday and I'd probably forget!)

After September 11 Alan Jackson released a song "Where were you when the world stopped turning"... I love that song but for me the world did not stop turning that September day like he says in that song, it was a few years later, in fact it was on this day 7 years ago....

28th February 2006 was the day my younger sister Kathy passed away, just 2 hours before her 23 birthday.  Kathy lost a 15 month on and off battle with cancer that started on her tongue and recurred in the lymph nodes in her neck. Without going into all the horrible details I remember the day she passed as if it was yesterday.

Kathy was 4 years younger than me. If you've read my about me (or actually know me) then you'll know that I grew up on a property out of town and went away to boarding school for high school, I joke that I moved out of home when I was 11 as I only went home for holidays, went straight from HS to Uni and straight from Uni to Far NQ to teach. So Kathy would have been 7 when I 'moved out of home' so sometimes I feel like I never really got to know her, when she finished HS she moved to NSW to complete Uni and it felt like we couldn't be further apart.

But this post is about being thankful, so I am thankful for the moments and the memories I do have. A lot of my memories about Kathy are from when she got sick and the battle she endured. Some of them are not the most pleasant memories but they are ones that I will hold on to forever. I am also thankful to the friends and family that she had that loved her dearly and looked after her and continue to love and cherish her memory today and every day.

(I am thankful for my other sister Renee for creating this little photo montage)

"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”
― Thomas Campbell


Linking up with  Leigh from Six by the Bay again for Thankful Thursday



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11 comments:

  1. Me28 February 2013 at 08:50

    I'm so sorry to read of your sisters passing - it is great that you have memories to hold onto.
    Sending heaps of love, hugs and positive energy your way !
    Me xox

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  2. Jacana28 February 2013 at 19:14

    So sorry to hear about your sister. How special the photos and memories must be.

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    1. Unknown28 February 2013 at 21:36

      Very special indeed...thanks for commenting..

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  3. Crazy Crunchy Chocolate Mummy28 February 2013 at 20:19

    Im so sorry to hear about your sister. But so glad you have wonderful memories to look back on!

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  4. Anonymous28 February 2013 at 20:51

    Oh Zita - I cannot imagine the pain of losing a little sister. I have three little sisters and one little brother. Though they are hardly little anymore! I am the eldest. I choked up reading your post. Your sister Kathy was beautiful. Your attitude is a good one - being thankful for all the lovely memories of her. Hugs..Min xo

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  5. Anonymous28 February 2013 at 21:20

    Sweet post! You had me in tears. Thinking of you today.

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    Replies
    1. Unknown28 February 2013 at 21:34

      Thanks Marleisa... I can assure you this was a pre planned post!

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  6. Anonymous28 February 2013 at 22:32

    So hard when the anniversaries come up. Sounds like you loved her lots and Im sure you miss her terribly. Its not fair when we lose those we love. I love that you acknowledge the time you did have, just beautiful. Thanks for linking up xxx

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  7. Rhianna 1 March 2013 at 14:37

    Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses lovely. What a wonderful, yet heartbreaking thing to be thankful for. Thank you for sharing and I am so sorry for your loss

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