Sarah
The past two weeks have been tough!
After 6 weeks in the hospital being treated for pneumonia, we found out that Lindsay's sister Sarah had terminal cancer. A few days later there was talk about removing a lung, and then she had gone downhill so quickly that that wasn't even an option any longer. So from there it was about making her most comfortable.
I was able to drive to London to go see her while Brian watched the kids. (I went with Shaye who was staying over after her Christmas dinner in Oshawa, and then she and I spent the Monday distracted by helping out at Operation Christmas Child). Shaye was awesome! She drove the return trip of six hours with me as I was in no condition to drive and she stayed with me and their family for the day.
Leaving the hospital was hard. Both of us knew it was our final goodbye. I had only done one other final good bye like this and it was with my great grandpa. It hurts.
Sarah was totally aware of what was going on. There were tears and much heart ache. Her body was failing but she managed to whisper a few words including: Bye, I love you.
Lindsay and I have been friends since I was 5, so Sarah has been in the background of everything. She was 33 years young and cancer had taken over completely on December 11th.
The visitation day was long but I felt happy to help with whatever I could while they talked with many who held Sarah dear.
The funeral was intense, but had glimpses of her strong character shine through. Crazy music that she loved, like it's all about the bass by Megan Trainer, funny stories like her going on a girls night out with her cousin and then going back early for her precious sleep and putting the chain across, and her famous "whatever" quote.
I couldn't see Lindsay's face from where I was sitting but I could see her dads. (He was the emcee at our wedding). The raw emotion was beautiful and yet stung, ripping at my heart.
While growing up if I wasn't at home, it was likely I was at their home or their cottage.
I went on two major trips with Sarah and Lindsay without parents. One to England and one to the Dominican.
Sarah was like a little sister; She was not always the easiest to get a long with but still there was love.