There is no greater love than the unconditional kind.
Love those in the greatest need!
I have found through a lifetime of struggle that the best love one can get is unconditional. But what does that mean? In my mind, it translates to loyalty, acceptance, and forgiveness. It's the sum total of loving someone no matter what, it's a connection that can never be broken. If you are lucky enough to find someone who loves you unconditionally, grab it, it's the best gift you can get.
After years of struggle, my baby sister Dorothy passed away.
I have always referred to her as my baby sister because, from the moment she was born, I fell in love with my little peanut. She was nicknamed peanut because she was a small, delicate little girl.
I came from a large family, I have 3 brothers and three sisters, I am the oldest girl and was 12 when the youngest sibling arrived. I was so excited the first time I held her, from that moment on I knew she would always have my unconditional love.
My sister had a troubled youth, she was terribly shy, had a hard time making friends, but when I was around, she would giggle and open up like a tiny flower in the sunshine.
I met my future husband very young; I was just 15, he was 17, De was 3.
The three of us would walk to the local ice cream store and get cones, we would sit at a table outside the store and enjoy the treats, then walk back home with De on Bob's shoulders. So cute how he would clown around, spin and jump with this little angel on his shoulders.
In the summer after graduating High School, I took a job with the recreation department in my hometown, with my boyfriend at my side we were to coach 7-8 y/o girls' softball, and it was a perfect time to convince my little sister to join a group. She loved it, and came out of her shell, especially since coach Bob taught her to bunt, then run like the wind to get on base.
She could run and was always so happy when she was safe at first.
So many memories, some very sad ones. At just 29 y/o Dorothy was in a car accident that left her paralyzed from the chest down, she would never walk again.
Her life was messy, but she fought hard to stay alive, she had such courage, to strive to find happiness despite having the deck stacked against her. I am so proud of her, I will miss her terribly.
It's been 28 years since that ice storm hit and the accident that changed my baby sister's life forever. She never married or had children, but she has always had me, she was like my 5th child, I would sometimes call her my daughter by mistake. Let me correct that, it was no mistake. I loved her like my own and when my mom passed away in 2006, I made her the promise that I would take care of Dorothy.
Unconditional Love, a beautiful gift to give.
R.I.P little one.