A Sister’s Love

Is it better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all? Do I dare give all of my heart knowing her chances are so small? Wouldn’t it be easier not to get close, to protect my vulnerable heart, So if she slipped away, my soul wouldn’t be ripped apart? It hurts so much already because I’ve let myself get close If it pains me to see her sick, what will it feel like if she goes? When she first got sick I ran because I was afraid of getting close, I figured I could save myself by weakening sorrow’s lethal dose. I was told I would regret it if I didn’t get to know her the best I could, To love her while she’s on this earth, every precious minute. I listened to those I thought knew best, from those who’d lost before. So I’ve loved my sister with all my heart, and I couldn’t love her more. So now I go to bed at night, praying she’ll see tomorrow, Hoping God will spare her life to keep me from such sorrow. I watch her and the pain she’s in and I admit I think of the choice I’ve made To love unconditionally with a heart that is vulnerable but unafraid. So looking back I can say I don’t regret risking my heart, If I didn’t love like I do, it wouldn’t be much of a heart that rips apart. For if I hadn’t loved her and given her my all, I could not imagine the feeling of loss of not knowing her at all. Lisa Twellman, 6/19/05