Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Jennifer

Wednesday, January 17, 2007
(Jennifer and me - her second birthday, 1997)


Today is my little sister's birthday. She would be twelve years old. She passed away in 1997 at two years of age due to heart falure. I've always remembered the day she passed away and her funeral. They have always been clear images in my mind. But I remember very little else about her. I remember her first Christmas, her second birthday, the day she almost walked on her own, but nothing else. And the fact that I forget her birthday makes me feel even more terrible.

Two nights ago, I was getting ready for bed and I stopped and looked at her "Tickle Me Elmo" doll. The day she died, her nurse, Tom, was going to give her that Elmo. His two children had saved up their money by saving bottles and cans to buy Elmo for her. She never got to see it. So, Tom gave Elmo to me and told me to take good care of him. As I looked at Elmo, I realized how I never really think of Jennifer. I sometimes forget that I had a sister and that she is my sister. I don't understand how we can just forget our family and friends who have passed on. But we can't dwell on them our whole lives. I don't know...


I really wanted to find a verse to end this post on a good tone, but I couldn't find one.


(Jennifer - 13 months old)

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I have really been encouraged by my mom's post. God is so great and merciful, but most of all sovereign.

3 comments:

Roberta said...

Hi Elizabeth :)
I popped over here from your Mom's blog.
This post about your sister is very touching. I know it is still hard.
My oldest was almost 2 when Elliott was born (our son that died...not sure if you knew that) so his memories are more in pictures, and our children born after talk about missing him even though they never met him. I guess we all know someone is missing. He is waiting in heaven in the presence of the Lord, but a hole remains in our family.
Our newest son (now 1) is using a blanket made by a neighbor for Elliott, he never had the chance to use it. I am glad you have the tickle-me-Elmo.
Just wanted to tell you in some small way that I can relate and that I was blessed by your sweet remembering post of Jennifer.
Roberta :)

Anonymous said...

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (NIV)

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.
________________

We all miss her Elizabeth, but we can have confidence that she'll be joining us around the throne. She'll just get there first!

Uncle S

Elizabeth F. said...

Thanks for that, Uncle S. I really appreciate it. :)