An Amazing Woman

I'm still thinking a lot about birds...watching them through my window, remembering quotes about them, sketching them...perhaps because little birds remind me of my younger sister, Jill.

Jill loved birds and daisies and simple, lovely things.  I say "loved" because my beloved little sister went to heaven the day after Christmas.  It's hard to believe she's really gone.

I don't remember this world without my little sister in it.

Some of you will remember reading about her in recent posts.  I alluded to her health struggles although I didn't go into a lot of detail.  Jill was a very private person.  She was also a very brave girl and she fought hard to hold on to life.  Her last battle was too much for her body but her spirit remained strong to the end.

The journal page I shared  in  this post last October.

I think a lot of us question how much personal information we should share on our blogs or on other social media.  I wondered if and when I should share the news of Jill's passing.  This is a time of deep personal sadness for my family and with all my heart I want to honor Jill's memory and everyone's privacy.

Finally I decided that I simply had to share this with you.  My relationship with Jill was and always will be a big part of my story and a huge influence on my art.  In recent months many of you sent well wishes and promised to pray for my sister.  I want you to know this blessed her (and our family) immensely.  Prayer was Jill's life preserver.  It sustained her and kept her afloat through many storms.

Jill, on the playground of the day school where she taught for many years.  She was a phenomenal teacher.

My sister had a scripture that helped her keep calm and carry on.  The last night I spent with her in the hospital I wrote it in my journal.

Philippians 4:8

Jill knew that joy depends not on our circumstances but on our focus and our attitude.  She had an amazing wit.  She loved art and inspiring quotes.  She was grateful for little things.  She enjoyed bright colors and dreamy spaces.  Lovely, excellent and praiseworthy things brought her joy and peace, even in difficult times. She didn't allow room in her life for self pity, bitterness, or ill will.  The joy of the Lord was her strength.

My little sister was a force to be reckoned with.  Loving her during her illness taught me many things and my life and my art will never, ever be the same.  She was an amazing woman.

Thank you for checking in with me today and helping me pay tribute to someone I love and miss very much.  Jill's life was shorter than we all wanted but her light was bright and her heart was filled with much love and joy while she was with us.  I pray today that you would experience such love and joy in your own heart.

Until next time...

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