So this time of year is pretty busy for most people. We become consumed with things like cards, letters, pictures, cookies, gifts, wrapping, decorating, shopping (did I miss anything?) For most of us (adults, anyway)the month of December is just a blur. Three years ago, my December changed. I still get consumed with all of the above activities but now there is something hanging over the Holidays that makes it a bit surreal. Three years ago this week, I spent a week in California with my family members who at the time, I hadn't seen for 25 years. Normally a reunion like this would be something to celebrate. But this wasn't a happy occasion. We were all gathered at Stanford University Hospital to be with my sister, Lisa.
Lisa had been diagnosed with Leukemia 4 months earlier and she was experiencing some extreme difficulties with her treatment. She had suffered a seizure and was lying in a coma with a fever they coudn't control.
So the first time I saw my sister in 25 years, she didn't even know I was there. The last time I had seen Lisa, she was a 12 year old kid. Now she was an adult with 3 kids of her own. She had lived a pretty tough life but always seemed happy when I spoke to her. I envied that about her. No matter what she ws going through, she seemed happy.
Without getting into specifics, Lisa and our brother, Bobby and I were raised separately. Lisa and Bobby were raised by their mother and our father. I was raised by my mother. We grew up very differently, with very little contact with each other. I always knew I had a brother and sister. I always loved them, even though I didn't live with them or even know them very well.
From the time she was 12 and I was 16, we had no contact for about 18 years. By that time, we lived on opposite sides of the country and had families of our own. When we began speaking again, I always knew that I would eventually make a trip out to California to see Lisa and Bobby in person. Someday.
When Lisa was diagnosed, I figured it was a wake up call for me. I planned to go out there wen she was done with her treatment. I was going to be a great "big sister" and take her to a spa. Let her be pampered for once in her life. It would give us some time to reconnect without any other distractions. It would be so great!
Unfortunately, things didn't work out as planned. Lisa never came out of her coma. She passed away on December 14, 2005.
So I want to dedicate this post to Lisa Gilbert Anderson who lived with gusto and died way too young. I hope you can find it in your hearts to pray for my Dad, Bobby, Shirley, Billy, Nathan, Cam, Kirsten and Krystal this week. May God bring them some peace and comfort during this very difficult time of year.
