A Letter to My Sister Kim

It seems as if it was just the other day, you called me a few times back to back… I didn’t answer, I was busy being busy as usual, indulged in the word of God. Liam was sound asleep. Kenny was in Galveston preparing for an exam. It was in the tenth hour or maybe closer to midnight. I figured the conversation with you could wait. You see, normally when you call, we’d spend a minimum of one hour on the phone, most of the times more. You’d go off on a tangent seeking my advice on whatever life was presenting you. We’d pray, I’d give you advice… This particular night, you followed up with a text message asking for my chili recipe. I picked up my phone and responded with the recipe two long messages later. I recall hurrying to return to my reading. After you received the message, you responded “thanks sissy, I’ll be making the world’s famous chili soon”. I chuckled and responded with thanks using the wink emoji. I had no hint this would be our very last exchange.  I’m sorry I didn’t answer and talk with you.

The last time I heard your voice you were speaking in a high animated voice with Aidan. She called you on the phone informing you to prepare for her arrival. You expressed how you missed her, continued on telling her you couldn’t wait until she visited. I laughed to myself and thought, there goes Kim being radically dramatic with the kids, they loved your tone. For some odd reason, your voice was very clear which caused me to focus in on the conversation.

I had no clue when I helped you give the girls their middle names, one day they would be my babies. God knew all alone why I assisted you with their names. Meleah, I insisted on this name because it was the President of the United States daughter’s name. And Kirsten Nariah, you wanted to spell it Kearsten Mariah, but I suggested we spell as  actress Kirsten Dunst name is spelled. I recommended you use an N instead of M, like (N)atasha. You were excited, sealed the deal and hence, the girls were named one by one.

You always said if anything ever happened, you would want your girls to live with Kenny and I. Well, here we are… I didn’t know how we were going to take on such huge responsibility. My son didn’t make his debut until I hit age 30 which translates to not much experience with kids. The thought of raising a 6 and 11 year old was radically astonishing. How would Kenny and I love the girls the way in which you perfected… Well, God has given us special love for them that’s natural and organic. Not sure if we will ever love them the way in which God gifted you but we will try our very best.

Gosh, we miss you beyond words!

Big Sissy