Today, I received a letter from my older sister that spoke volumes in many ways. You see, we have not always been very close due to so many events in both our lives, but God has allowed us more time than many on this earth to grow closer as sisters, and to forgive one another. We have one sister that passed away, taken way too soon, and we remember her in our thoughts and prayers, along with our two brothers who have passed. We are now down to just three, my remaining sister being the oldest of us all.
In the letter she wrote, I will give reference to the contents, not knowing who the author is, and condense it into what we all should think about when we lose someone we love so dearly, or when one in our own family has no idea, they are loved…
To sum up this letter that arrived today and brought tears to my eyes, and tugs to my heart, I refer to just a few of the lines, (Author Unknown)
She wrote in words that If I knew it would be the last time that I’d see you fall asleep, I would tuck you in more tightly and pray the Lord your soul to keep….
If I knew it would be the last time that I see you walk out the door, I would give you a hug and kiss and call you back for more…
If I knew it would be the last time, I could spare an extra minute to stop and say “I Love You” instead of assuming you would know…
So, hold your loved one’s tight and whisper in their ear, tell them how much you love them and that you will always hold them near…
Take time to say I’m sorry, “Please forgive me”, Thank you or It’s okay…And if tomorrow never comes, you’ll have no regrets about today….
Her letter had words that all of us should reflect on, as our world is becoming less and less a place of love, compassion, and caring for each other, especially those in our family. Take care of what God gives us, and forgive the hurt caused by others. To my sister I say to her: Thank you, for sharing from your heart what I needed to hear, what must have made you cry when you wrote it, and now I know for sure that you always did love me, your little sister….
Forgiveness is not a simple act but a real process of change which, in its constructive dimension, leads us to come to terms with our limits, our vulnerability and our fragility and this is why it often turns out to be so tiring , because to forgive you need courage and love, certainly for others, but above all for yourself. Precisely for this reason forgiveness needs time to be granted, because it is sometimes a difficult path and promoting it prematurely would be harmful, as it would devalue the wound. A wound that will never heal through hasty or fake forgiveness, but only when we decide to redefine pain in constructive terms and do something about it, because forgiveness is never an obligation, but a concrete possibility to make that weight lighter.
First, thank you Aldo for commenting on this piece, and although I replied on Link-den I will also do here. I do believe. based on Holy Scripture as a believer in Christ, that the laws set down through the Ten Commandments do make it an obligation to forgive, not necessarily forget, but certainly to forgive. If Jesus had not forgiven mankind for his great sins, where would we be today? This is just my opinion and not mandatory that all must agree to.
Every now and then the Lord gives us a reminder of what our true priorities should be – mine came this last Sept 19th with what the doctor called a ‘mini’ stroke. I really didn’t think I needed a reminder, but there it was – and here I still am, happy in the knowledge that our life is but a breath…….
God’s Word tells us…..
James 4:14 , “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”
Psalm 90:12, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
Got legacy??
Yes, you are absolutely right and I thank my sister’s letter as a reminder of her love that she has but seemed hidden for most of my life. I love her and I loved my sister who passed whom I never had the chance to say goodbye to…Thanks Mike for your comment and I know your brothers and sisters, along with those who love you are glad you are here to love more!
Words spoken from the heart no doubt. I can only hope that my sister knows how much I love her and I’ve always loved her. I think she does. I just wish that every family that is broken because of anger or things that are done that they reconcile Before our Lord would call them home. If they only knew how important that is for the life that waits for them.
Regret is the cancer of life when a loved one passes and things between them are left unsaid; forgiveness not sought; reconciliation refused; love not shared. No more chance to do the right thing; no do over! Pity encased in regret.
In this case Nightingale, you and your beloved sister, have been blessed since both of you have reached out to one another to strengthened your sisterhood bond while still on this earth. No regret!
A great article for all who to seek their estranged sibling, child, parent or friend since there is no time like the present. Tomorrow is just a promise and never a guarantee to anyone.