My Sister Lisa passed away almost two years ago.

She had ALS. (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)

The end was hard. It was so hard to see her like that… it was so un-natural.  The only recognizable thing about her toward the end was her enduring smile.

I have memories when I was little – of riding on the back of her bike on a summer day.  She was a teenager – and I, just a tyke.  We rode through the streets of Grosse Point where we grew up until we reached the health food store.  I remember the little bell ringing as we pushed open the door -whoooosh,  and I remember the murmurs of greeting, and oohs and ahhh’s…. “your sister? – oooh! so sweet!” … someone handed me a lollypop and Lisa smiled and told me I could eat it on the ride home.  We walked the aisles and smelled the soaps.  She bought toothpaste and shampoo… her hair was so long and beautiful … she was so beautiful.  She sat me on the countertop to say goodbye so the man could steal my nose and then put it back on my face.

Outside again, she lifted me back to my rightful seat on the back of her bike and tousled my hair unwrapping the lollipop as she smiled her smile at me.

I’m sure my Dad was waiting for her.  I’m sure she’s happy again.

For those she left behind, the memory of her smile still lingers on in my heart and always will.

Happy Birthday Lisa.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.