I sat down at my desk recently to write a letter to my sister Judy who still lives in Kansas. I’d been writing for several minutes when I was interrupted by the phone. As I walked down the hall to answer, I had to smile as the caller ID announced “Call from Judy”.
This is nothing new to us. We’ve experienced this phenomenon many times throughout the years. There were times along the way that I would pick up the phone to dial her number, and she’d already be on the phone getting ready to call me. We just have a connection that has weathered the joy, sadness and storms of life.
We’ve lost mom and dad and our brother Jim, so what once was a family of seven is now a family of four. It’s been especially hard on Judy. She’s the one who wouldn’t quit looking for a way to ease mom’s arthritis pain, which suddenly impaired her to the point of not even being able to comb her hair.
Although mom was willing to accept this as how it would be, my sister had no intention of that happening. Lo and behold, she found a medication that increased mom’s level of function so dramatically that she was given the gift of reclaimed life, a gift she remained thankful for the rest of her life. She was able to live her later years with a quality of life that wouldn’t be possible with the ravages of arthritis.
Our recent phone conversation brought up this memory. Now my sister’s arthritis is worsening, and this time it was me who reminded her of what she had found that helped mom. Another thing about my sister. No need to ask her to pray for myself or anyone in our family, she already does on a daily basis, without being asked. We love the same old movie classics, especially Gone With The Wind. Judy was 10 when I was born, so some memories vary. There’s a special bond between sisters, at least in our case. May it always be so.