Yvonne

This week I lost my beloved younger sister. I am devastated. I still can’t believe she is gone. I think that because I am so far away it has made acceptance difficult. Losing a sister is no small thing. You share your DNA, your parents, your childhood, your memories, your clothes, your bedroom, your friends, all the ups and downs of your life. When you get married, she gets married. When you have babies, she has babies. When you cry, she cries. When you laugh, she laughs. When you grow older, she grows older. When you have grandbabies, she has grandbabies. When you lose your parents, she loses her parents. Then suddenly she is gone and so a part of what you are is gone.

Yvonne and most of her siblings

I feel frustrated that I am so far away at this time. I knew there was a possibility I could lose a loved one while I was on my mission but I thought it was only a very slight possibility. I can go home and then come back if I want to, but the plane ride is expensive and exhausting, I don’t feel I can do it. Besides Yvonne is not at home anymore.

Yvonne loved her family. She adored her husband and her children and her grandchildren. They were the center of her world. She loved her extended family too. She loved to get together with her sisters and brothers and she loved her nieces and nephews. Her home was a second home to some of them. In the last few months she spent some of her time visiting and supporting a disabled sister.

Yvonne loved reading, and crafts, needle work and music. She loved the out of doors. She loved to wear jewelry. Whenever I picture her in my mind, she is wearing earrings. She loved animals. Oh my, how she loved animals. She loved cats, she thought they were wonderful creatures. She loved dogs, to her they were just furry people.

Yvonne and Richard were almost as excited about our mission as we were. I know they were our faithful followers on this blog. When I talked to Yvonne’s daughter on the phone yesterday she told me that Yvonne always wanted to see Africa. I don’t know exactly how heaven works but I just know that if Yvonne still wants to see Africa she can see Africa. She isn’t that far away.

When Jesus told his disciples “blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted” that is simply the truth. Because I believe that Jesus is the “is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.” Mosiah 16:9
I am comforted just as Jesus promised.  I miss her and I grieve for her. I wanted to continue to grow old with her; I wanted her to continue to be there for her family. But I know I will see her again someday. I know that the vital part of who she is lives on.

I don’t know what they wear in Heaven but whatever it is, Yvonne’s will be lavender.