My sister and I are ten years apart in age - she was always my 'big' sister, protector, and 2nd little mama. When she went off to college, I wanted to DIE. I was only 8 years old and life without her in the same house was a foreign concept AND scary. We shared a huge spooky old room upstairs in our old country farm house but we had the best times playing games and telling stories. There was no internet back then so we still had the innocence and creative curiosity of children. Our father farmed rich, Delta farm land for over 40 years. He finally retired in 1992 but sadly, passed away in 1993 from pancreatitis. We still miss him every single day. We were BIGTIME daddy’s girls although we adored our hard-working mom too. They raised us to work hard, be honest, and to always go to church. We never missed a Sunday in all our childhood years. Yes, I said NEVER. You see, our older brother, Ronnie, had married the preacher's daughter, Robbie Gail Coots. (Her parents being the beloved Rev. Ruey and his wife, Gloria Coots). We went to church every time the doors were open - Sunday, Sunday night, Wednesday nights and anytime there was a revival (which was every other week, it seemed). My sister played the piano from the time she was 10 until she left for college and she often came home from Conway on the week-ends just to play for church. She played the piano until the church got really hi-tech and bought an organ and then she started playing that and ITookOverThePiano. ME! Her little sister! So we played together for years. That was such a meaningful time in my life - I felt so proud to sit up there with my 'big' sister, who I thought the sun rose and set with. We went to church more – way back then – than many people will ever go in their lifetime. Faith and God and Right and Wrong were ingrained in us early on. We respected and honored our parents because we KNEW they would follow through with the appropriate punishment if we did NOT. Ramblin here….anyhow, Gail came and got me several times to spend spring break with her at college…those were the times of my young life! I chuckle to this day thinking of the time she and her friends buried me under their coats in the floorboard of her car – to get in the drive-in movie. I thought I was going to die right then and there because I couldn’t breathe. Thankfully, I survived and we’ve laughed about that many times through the years. I also have wonderful fun memories of my brother – 13 years older – who (somewhat unusual) ended up being my high school basketball coach. People thought he was my dad at first – lol. When he coached at Wilson, he took me to swim in the old Wilson gym pool – I loved that place and treasured the time we spent together. I loved being his little sister too. Always admired and looked up to him even though he was known to be a tough disciplinarian in school (at times) but oh me, oh my – we definitely need MORE of that in schools TODAY. He eventually went on to be a beloved Principal for many years. Gail was an elementary school teacher at Luxora, Osceola, and ultimately, at Vilonia – nearly 35 years she gave to students who love her to this day. Gail and Ronnie retired within a year or two of each other only a couple of years or so ago. They have been thoroughly enjoying their retirement by traveling with friends and family and loving their hard-earned and treasured golden years. I guess we often take our siblings for granted. All families have their ups and downs and we were certainly no different. But, through it all – we have always been there for each other when it mattered. I feel so helpless NOW because I don’t know how to be there for my sis, my pal, my Gail. I have never handled ‘helplessness’ well. I like to take charge – hopelessness is not in my vocabulary or knowledge base. But that’s how I’ve felt the past 5 days. Utterly and completely hopeless. My mantra has been (for as long as I can remember – for better or worse) that I will not give up, let up, or shut up – for something in which I strongly believe. I am the loud mouth of the family; Gail and Ronnie were always quiet, gentle, soft-spoken people. I’m the talker, the peacemaker, (or trouble maker, depending on your perspective) and the pest - all rolled into one. Nothing is in my control right now and I have no resource or answers. And worse still, my magic wand is busted. Bottom line - I cannot imagine living without my sister. And I refuse to even let my mind go there right now. Right now, we need a miracle and we know our God can work it out. Please help me pray for God to help the doctors find the answers they need IN TIME for her to make recovery possible. Praying for morning to come with the news that she had a good night and they find answers soon and can get on the ball to combat this phantom, ugly illness. DEVIL.BE.GONE! Prayers appreciated and thanks for letting me vent. God is good and I am thankful to have been so fortunate to be part of this wonderful family of mine. Please continue your prayers, friends. God bless you for being here and letting an old gal blab and gab on and on.
Note: This was written in May, 2012 - my sister's blood sugar quickly got so out of control, her body started shutting down and she went into a coma for several days. Thankfully, she is at home now, still recuping, but has things under control. Praise the Lord, he is So good!
