From Sisterhood to Solitude

I'm a firm believer that God made sisters because He knew we needed lifelong friends. I also believe I'd be lost without my 6. I need each and every one to fill a certain hole in my heart. And they do!

My mom comes from a special sisterhood. Just 4 girls in her family. Four girls and 4 lifelong friends. Sadly, though, the "lifelong" part is never long enough.

In the photo above, taken at my parents' 25th wedding anniversary in 1974, my mother sits with her sisters Virginia (yellow dress), Violet (polka dots) and Melvina (short blue dress). Violet was the first to leave the sisterhood, dying of cancer in 1991. Virginia died of a heart attack just days before the 9/11 tragedy. And Melvina, we learned late last night, passed away yesterday.

My mom now sits alone. No sisters. No brothers-in-law. No parents. No husband. Just her.

I worry about her. Since my dad died 2 years ago, she and Melvina have either talked or seen each just about every day. They live some 20 minutes apart, so Mom would often drive to Melvina's and they would catch a ride on a casino bus or head out on their own to bingo or some "must see" garage sales, flea markets or craft shows.

Or, like they did Friday afternoon, sit in lawn chairs in the backyard and enjoy coffee and a light breeze. They have been constant companions and I wonder how the void will possibly be filled.

When I talked to Mom this morning, she was still in shock and disbelief and, understandably, heartbroken. She also, though, had no regrets because she did see her 90-year-old sister Friday and talk to her on the phone on Saturday. She was reaching out on Sunday for their daily phone conversation when there was no answer on the other end and that prompted Mom's worry and subsequent phone calls for help.

When emergency personnel found my aunt late in the day, they weren't sure what time on Sunday she died. "I just hope she wasn't lying there in agony and not able to get help. That's the danger of living alone," said my mom, who lives alone in the country and wonders why we worry about her!

I will miss my Aunt Melvina! I still miss Violet and Virginia – and the joy they brought to any family gathering where 2, 3 or all 4 of them were present. What a hoot. Not sure how my mother will survive this loneliness but I know the 3 Johnson girls will look out for her.

And her sisterhood of 7 daughters will do the same.