Tuesday, August 18, 2015

My Sister-In-Law


My husband's brother married an Indian girl. She is now considered to be Native American but in this area we still say Indian.

They were very young when they married. My mother-in-law was terribly upset about it. I was not around then but my mother-in-law is the one who told me so I believe it to be true.

She said she just could not picture herself walking down the street holding the hand of a little Indian child and introducing it as her grandchild. In the ironic way that the world works their first child was her favorite of all the grandchildren.

My mother-in-law also came to care very much for my sister-in-law. Tolerance for differences can be learned.

 She will beMy sister-in-law died yesterday. She was only a couple of years older than me.

She had been fighting cancer for several years.

My sister-in-law did not like going to the doctor. She tried to treat discomfort and pain herself. She waited to long to get medical help.

She had surgery to remove as much as they could but a large part was too near the spine to get it all.

She has been undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for all these years. These treatments are so hard on the body. But she had hope that they would help.

And they did a little. But the masses never went away. So another round of therapy would be scheduled.

She has been telling me for a long time that she had made her peace and was ready to go. But she still hoped for another year or two.

The last time I called her she sounded so weak and tired. My brother-in-law told me that day that it didn't look good for her.

She leaves her husband, five children, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. My children all cared for her very much. She always treated them as well as she treated her own children.

My sister-in-law will be missed by all of us. And I remind all to make sure to get those physicals. They could allow you those extra couple of years.

10 comments:

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    1. Thank you. We raised our children together so I have so many memories.

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  2. I'm so sorry for your and family's loss. I'm speechless, I don't know what to say as I don't know you well except from the stories you share. I wish to comfort you. My heartfelt condolences.

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    1. Thank you for your thoughts. I am at peace with her death because she has been suffering for a long time but I will miss her.

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  3. I am saddened about your loss, wish you great strength for today and always. Best wishes.

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    1. Thank you. I draw strength from her life. She endured a great deal and is now at peace.

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  4. I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your sister in law, which is very dear to you and your family. Despite the sadness of this post however, I am glad so many awakening moments here, that tolerance for differences can be surely learned, and about making our peace and readiness to go, I guess, that's very helpful to help all family deal with the pain of loss.

    My condolences to you and your family.

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    1. Thank you. This was not a sad post to me. I wanted it to celebrate her life and how much she meant to all of us.

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  5. Belated condolences on your SIL's passing, Emma. As sad as these times can be for family and friends left behind, they know that their beloved's suffering has ended even though the sadness will start.

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