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“Love” – A Christmas Gift

My sister, whom I was very close to, went to be with God for Christmas December 2004.  The call came early on a Wednesday morning.  I knew that she was gone before the call came.  I was sleeping and woke at 2:40 a.m.  I remember looking at the clock and sitting up in bed, thinking; “My sister is gone.” (She had been sick for several months.  Once again I felt a presence I cannot explain, a presence I have felt many times in my life.

I laid my head down and cried myself to sleep.  She had passed at 2:35 Chicago time Wednesday.  I flew to Chicago and the “wake” (which is very common in the East, a viewing), for all who loved my sister and knew her was very comforting.  Family and friends came to say their goodbyes.

It was a beautiful place. It was the Christmas Season, and this being my sisters favorite time of the year, it only seemed fitting that she be surrounded by the candles and Christmas trees that illuminated the room.

Although this room was a place to prepare everyone for one last glimpse of the person who had touched their lives in so many ways, it was beautifully decorated with the smell and sights of Christmas.  There was a sense of peace all around.

It was difficult that day, for I did not know what to expect.  As several passed by to pray and spend time, expressing their condolences, the flickering of the candles that were lit, caught the glow of the lights from the Christmas trees sitting in the corner of each room.  My sister looked beautiful as though I had seen her yesterday and she had fallen asleep.  I stood by the casket looking at the tall beautiful flowers and enjoying the smell of their fragrances.

All around there were pictures of her life with friends, family, children, and grandchildren.  Where did the years go?  Although too young to leave us, one never is too young to be with God.  More tears filled my eyes and a sense of loss came over me.

As the noise from the people grew and the hugs from those who shared our loss were given ever so freely, the warmth in the room grew also.  It wasn’t long before it was time to say our final goodnight to my sister for the last time.  Tomorrow we would come to take her to her final resting place.  I was so happy to see her children and grandchildren fluttering about, attending to all her wishes.

I was not able to concentrate on the song I sang for her.  I made it to the end before the tears overcame me.  Then it was my nephew Paul’s turn to read something he wrote for his grandma; all eyes were upon him.  He read a letter, which brought tears to all who were present He loved her so much.  To hear the tears of the children and grandchildren as the music played, and the song “Flying with Angels” was played; no one had not shed a tear.

There were many longtime friends of my sister present.  Long time childhood friends.  You could feel a sense of family everywhere you turned.

As I looked at the Christmas trees in the corner of the room and all the candles lit the smell of all the beautiful flowers, the chill in the air outside, I thought, what a beautiful time of year to leave this earth and enter into God’s presence, as we also await HIS birth.  My sister was going to spend Christmas with Jesus this year.

On the day of the funeral, the sun was shining brightly in the sky.  The air was crisp and cold.  However, upon the closing of my sister’s service and her coffin closed for the last time, the doors were opened to the Hurst outside waiting to take her to her final resting place.  As we all walked outside, the sky had become a soft ray. And the sun was gone.  Little snowflakes began to fall and soon it would be snowing.  As we drove to the last place to say goodbye, the warm tears rolled down my cheeks in contrast to the coolness on my face.  It felt good.

Christmas is not just for presents and all that comes with the joy of Christmas morning, but it’s a time to remember what gifts God has given to us.

For those who loved my sister, friends, family, and children, we had the gift of our Sandy for what we feel was a short time, a time too soon to go.  But God’s time is different and so He wanted to bring my sister home.  Her time was done.

Now she flies with the Angels and watches over those of us left behind from above.  All of us will be together someday and for us left behind there will be an emptiness that cannot be filled.  Every time we see an Angel we will remember her.   Let us not lose touch with those we love, nor let the days pass by without calling to say hello and to tell those we speak to that we love them.

My sister was a gift and her final words to me:   “ I love you”. My Christmas Gift …

Lynn Forrester-Pitocco
Lynn Forrester-Pitocco
LYNN is Retired from Law Enforcement as a Police Officer, with a background in nursing and previously a member of the Search and Rescue Team with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, A retired member of the Orange Police Department, she became the first female SWAT member on an elite team while becoming a member of the Olympic Shooting Team during the early years on the department. A mother and a grandmother, a devout Catholic who currently resides in Houston, Texas. Her hobbies include writing, painting, and a contemplative prayer life. She is in love with her faith, but the love she carries for her two grown children and grandchildren who rest in her heart surpasses everything except her faith in God. Since retirement, Lynn has done private investigation, worked as a gang counselor with middle schools, A member of Bl. Mother Teresa’s Order called the (Lay Missionaries of Charity), she is also a pro-life advocate, often called upon to give testimony and speak to youth groups, as well as adult forums. She has published a children’s book entitled “The Children’s Garden” and is currently working on two additional children’s books. She is currently working on the major one focused on her experience in Law Enforcement entitled “Heels and a Badge”. (copyright). Her paintings and sketches, writings, can be viewed on her Pinterest boards (click on the Pinterest ICON below). Her dream is to one-day write a movie for Hallmark. Dreams do come true … See Lynn’s entire collection of thought-provoking Articles by clicking on her byline. Lynn is a contributing author to the inspiring book Chaos to Clarity: Sacred Stories of Transformational Change.

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6 CONVERSATIONS

  1. As I read your loving words for your sister my heart went back to the early hours before dawn my call came in. It was the hospital I’m so sorry your brother died. We did everything we could. He was only forty-nine years old. Dawn broke a few hours later and through my tears a Cardinal appeared on my window seal and sang to me as if to say, “sis, I love you too”.

  2. Dear Nightingale – we are all “on loan” from God until He calls us to our true home once our mission is completed on this earth. The love your sister had for you and for her other family and friends was self-evident in your writing – also the love you have for her still and that is a “gift” that keeps on giving throughout eternity. Love knows no bounds. God is love!

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