My Sister Norma and I

Just thinking about my sister Norma (Nonie), who passed away in November 2019. I found a few pics and put them together for her birthday, which would have been today, August 20th.

It didn’t matter how near or far apart we were, we were close in our minds and spirit whenever we got a chance to meet or talk. We didn’t agree on everything and really we were quite different as individuals, but there was this very special bond in our relationship that remained. She was my little sister, a year and a half younger than I was.

I miss her…… ❤

We were apart from when we were very young until we were teenagers. Nonie lived with my Grandma, my Dad’s Mum. We visited annually, it seemed, and we loved being together. We treasured our together time and we were close enough that we sensed each other’s thoughts and could finish each other’s sentences. We loved finally being able to live under the same roof!

I remember our high school days together. I recall enjoying playing our accordions together, at home, in a band, and at local events. We walked all over the countryside and talked about whatever was on our hearts…..

We attended college and university in separate towns, and pursued different careers. I became a teacher and she became an engineer, unusual for a woman at that time.

I moved away to Canada. She moved to Ireland. We wrote a little. We talked on the phone occasionally. We texted a little. I wish I had communicated more frequently than we did. I guess we were both busy with life and family.

I have sweet memories of a reunion in Ireland in later years with Norma and her grown family. It was almost as if there had been no intervening years or oceans between us. It was a special time for me with her.

We had both experienced bouts with cancer. She later became ill with arthritis, which was what had happened to my Mum. The last time we talked on the phone, she was living with a great deal of pain. It grieved her very much to lose her mobility. She hoped for a wheelchair. She mourned her quality of life. I was very concerned for her, though glad for the conversation. My dear sister…..

I am posting these few pics here in memory of her and of some of our times together…..

My little sister Nonie ❤

(The following piece is one morning’s thought in poetry. I wrote it some time ago but I want to share it here now because it reminded me of my sister when I saw it recently).

Our God….

Our God is not only the God of pain, trouble and sorrow
But the God of blessing, joy and delight in a new tomorrow.

All we have to do is to look carefully
At every flower and every tree
To catch a glimpse of the uniqueness
With which He made us….you, and me

@Ann Justin

Rest in sweet healing and peace in your new tomorrow, Nonie ❤

@ Ann, August 20, 2020