September 12, 1982
The day you disappeared. Out of my life, but never my mind.
There was a hole that never got filled.
You and I were supposed to be sitting together talking about our grandkids.
You never even got to see yours.
When you lose a loved one you get a lot of “nevers” to deal with.
I hate that
I want to focus on the “always” statements instead
I’ll always be glad we were sisters
I’ll always remember the little stories
I’ll always love you
One day we’re going to be reunited, Peggy
And we’ll sit and talk incessantly, like we used to.
And we’ll laugh. A whole lot.
And we’ll never have to say goodbye.
I love you more than any words can say
And that won’t change
I promise.
I love thinking of the fun times we had…Here’s one I remember…
The Circus
Our neighbors started coming with tickets in their hands.
There wasn’t any music; there was no marching band.
Our circus was a little one consisting of just three:
my brother, George who was the clown, my sister Peg, and me
Our audience was rather small —I think there were just eight.
but we were so excited that we could hardly wait.
I was the trapeze artist without the greatest ease,
and up on top our swingset bar, I hung there by my knees!
Our audience was new to this as far as we could tell,
so we would tell them when to clap and tell them when to yell.
And when our show was over, those thirty minutes flew.
We had a special mission that we all had to do.
We took the money we had earned—a dollar eighty-nine
and went into the bakery, and proudly stood in line.
For there beside the register we saw it all the time,
a small container with the words:
Please Give to March of Dimes
With other people watching us, we dropped our money in.
It was the biggest thing we did, we couldn’t help but grin.
Of all the games we ever played and all the toys around,
We never had such fun as when the circus came to town.
Hey Peg, it was me who took your Easter peeps out of your basket.
I just thought you should know.
P.S. Peggy, I wrote a book about being broken
I wrote about you and I wrote about me.
I just want to help anyone out there who might also be broken.
One day we’ll be completely whole, Peggy. One day.
I Love you Peggy, and I’ll never stop.
Who are you remembering today?
Share their name or a memory in the comments if you’d like.
Read more about Broken: A story of abuse, survival and hope here
Book Trailer view here.
I am glad you are able to share Peggy with us. Bless you friend
Anne,
Thank you for sharing such a touching tribute to your sister. I am sorry for your loss. I also believe that you will be reunited and all the pain will disappear. Sending you hugs and prayers today,
Candy
Candy,
Thanks for reading and for your comments. Yes one day there will no longer be pain. Oh, how wonderful that will be. Thanks for the prayers and the hugs as well.
I’m remembering her now, too. Thinking about you, Anne.
Janelle,
You know it’s funny. I think one of the things I miss is the fact she would have been someone I could have fought with safely. You know what I mean. Fighting with someone who would always be for me. Peggy always accepted me.
Anne…such a beautiful tribute to your sister. Praying that you’ll feel God’s peace and healing love today. Thank you for sharing from such a raw place…hugs to you 🙂
Lorna,
At first, I was going to share the poem about when she disappeared, but I kept wanting to somehow say something to her. And when I sat down to do it, it just came. I think it was just waiting for the invitation. I’ll take that hug, gladly. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your sister today and the photographs. Praying for you for comfort.
Pamela,
I remember when I was in a homicide group. The day I shared Peggy’s picture the tears fell freely. It was almost as if I had brought her to the group and said, “I’d like you to meet my sister.”
I guess I did that in a way today. Thanks for your prayers. The whole day went fine, but now I hurt.
Looking at those beautiful photo’s breaks my heart Anne, lovely girls, all the things you never got to experience together. Yet I know she is with you in spirit and would be so proud of your achievements.
Kath,
Sometimes I think of how much we missed and it hurts. I am thankful that I get to love her children. Her eldest and I are very close. I was the one who shared the Lord with him. Thanks for reading Kath, and for your encouraging words.
This is lovely, Anne. Praying for comfort and that peace that is beyond our understanding. What a wonderful day it will be when you are together again. Grace and peace to you today.
Rebeca,
Thanks for reading and for your prayer for comfort and peace. In 2005, we went to court when my sister’s case was changed from a missing person case to a possible homicide. We watched as her husband was pronounced “not guilty,” and that side of the courtroom erupted in cheers and high fives. And God provided peace that passed all understanding. It will be wonderful when we are reunited. Grace and peace to you as well.
You and your sister were the cutest little girls ever. I’m so sorry you lost her. I’m glad you will be reunited in heaven, forever.
It’s so fun seeing Jude have the same dark eyes, and who knows, Ruthie may as well. We’ll see. Either way she is a cutie. Thanks, Kathleen. We were ballerinas who stuffed out dresses in our underpants when we were really little and just took the edges out. We never saw the bunchiness, we thought we were something. And you know something, we were.
Oh and thanks for your kind words, Kathleen. Our reunion will be sweet!
Thanks for reading Joan. I’m thinking of how much God has healed me as I think about her. I’m just so thankful about that.
Anne, this is a beautiful tribute. Lifting you up in prayer.
Blessings,
Joan