Monday, January 17, 1994

Sunshine

On June 17, 1975, Cynthia Lorene Scott, my sister passed away from the effects of Cystic Fibrosis.  She was known to most people as "Sunshine" for the joy that she brought to the lives of all who associated with her.  Cindy was 9 years old when she passed away.

What I remember most about Cindy is that she would bring home brown grocery bags full of stuff from the hospital.  They were full of things that people would give her.  The best part:  she would share.  Except she wouldn't share her Bugles.


Do you remember these?  Have you ever had them?  My sister didn't have to share her bag of Bugles and so for years whenever I found them in a vending machine I'd buy them just so I could eat the whole bag like she did.  :)

The final days that my sister lived she spent in Riley Children's Hospital.  The last day that she was alive, Joyce and I were at a friend's house, the Wilson's.  My friend Jenny Wilson.  I distinctly remember that when my parents arrived I was downstairs playing.  The Wilson's had a cool antique telephone on their wall.

My Mom said I ran away when we arrived and I didn't want to talk with them.  I don't remember that.  I just remember thinking that Cindy was going to peek around the corner anytime.  Perhaps that's just what I wanted to believe.  I was hoping.

Then I remember seeing my Dad's face.  I remember seeing the heartache on Dad's face and his tears.

As a parent now, I cannot even imagine experiencing the loss of a child. Nor can I imagine having to tell my other children that their sibling has returned home to live with Heavenly Father.  I have tried to imagine it since there have been times when Ryan's health seemed to be heading in that direction.  Just the idea of it is heart wrenching.