For Connie 09/21/2011
Today, I am dedicating my blog to someone I miss. On this day, in 2007, my family suffered a terrible loss. My sister-in-law, Connie Matthews died from pancreatic cancer. She was 53. I cherish my memories of her. My first experience with Connie was as "one of the big kids" that lived on our street in Westover, WV. She wore her hair teased up high, and always had a wide headband securing it. At times, my mom would hire her to babysit me. I remember watching her practice her baton twirling skills in her front yard. She never missed. I must have been around 5 or 6. One Easter Sunday, she came to church with us, and my big brother had his arm around her. I wondered why she needed his help. After that, the pretty majorette always came to church with us, and ate Sunday dinner at our house. She married my brother when I was 11 or so. Two years later, I became an aunt! It was one of the greatest days of my life. Being an aunt at 13 is an awesome event. A few years later, I was blessed with another niece. Connie always encouraged me to be close with her girls. Her home was open to me. My nieces, Liz and Allison kept me entertained many hours. Connie never failed to include me in the girls activities or events, no matter how many years passed or how far from home I traveled, she remained a constant. Her generousity never failed. Connie never forgot my birthday, and attended every graduation ceremony with the girls by her side. When I walked down the aisle to marry Chuck, it only seemed fitting that she and her girls participate in the wedding. In fact, my "something borrowed" was a pair of diamond stud earrings that belonged to her. I remember how touched I was when she offered them to me. When I later had my girls, she and my brother were among the first to send flowers and gifts. She never hesitated to say, "I love you" or to offer words of encouragement when things seemed the darkest. Life moves so fast, we seldom notice it ripping right past us. Connie and my brother became grandparents in 2005. I got to become an aunt all over again. Even better, I got to witness my niece become a mom. The pretty, shy, majorette came into my life when we were both still children. Eventually, she grew into a beautiful, intelligent woman. She never needed a face lift, a Weight Watchers meeting or a botox injection. Even when the cancer robbed her of her strength, her stunning beauty remained. I thought Connie and I would grow old together, I never once considered she could be taken from us. I envisioned a future of rocking grandkids, attending weddings, graduations, and blowing out birthday candles. The feeling of her absence is never ending. My daughters miss their aunt, my mom misses her daughter-in-law, and my nieces miss their mom. As for me, I miss the former baby sitter, that became my sister. I now realize that you can never say too many I love yous, that you should never be too busy to listen, and above all, celebrate life with the ones you love every chance you get. I love you Liz, and Allison, you are in my every thought today and I thank you for your permission to write this. Say lots of I love yous today, and think of Connie. JMH CommentsElizabeth Matthews 09/21/2011 8:43am
Thanks for sharing your memories of mom! I have no words to express how much I miss her. Chuck 09/21/2011 5:04pm
It is so hard to believe that it has been that long since we lost Connie. She immediately welcomed me into the family and I joined her and Lilly as an "outlaw"! She was a wonderful blessing to my life and I miss her too. Not many days go by that you and I don't speak of Connie. I am thinking of the girls today, I know today must be difficult but they have some wonderful memories to cherish always! Miss you Connie and love ya Liz and Allison! Leave a Reply |
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