The Story A Life Tells

I heard someone say this week that our lives are stories to be told.

I couldn’t have heard that at a more relevant time.

You see, my sister-in-law passed away on December 16, and this past week I watched and cried and prayed as my husband struggled to put a beautiful life that was full and fun and powerful and loving into a few short paragraphs for an obituary.

Kathleen. She was the sister I never had. A confidante. Late night calls, shopping sprees, prayer support, and talks that went from laughing to crying to laughing again. How I will miss her. So many memories. I am grateful for all 30 years of them.

My best last memory with her was on November 16, one month to the very day before she left this earth. I put my forehead up against hers and looked deeply into her eyes. For a few seconds nothing was said. Nothing needed to be said, but we said it anyway.

I love you, my sister.

Sister, I love you, too.

And I watched that sparkle in her eyes, the one you can’t describe unless you knew her, then you know, turn into that stellar signature smile of hers.

I treasure that memory. It tells so many stories.

She was the favorite aunt to all her nieces and nephews, a true mom to her stepdaughter, a trusted friend to a special few, and a fun companion to everyone.

To my husband, her little brother, she was sometimes that irritating big sister who knew it all, but mostly she was a listening ear, a helping hand, a joy to be with, laugh with, have fun with, and always a very dear friend.

Bob Goff says, “You will be remembered for your love, not your opinions.”
That is certainly true of Kathleen.
Her love spoke loudest.

Our lives are stories to be told.

How will you be remembered?

That’s what I am asking myself. It’s a good question for all of us.
Will we be remembered for our love?
Our laugh?
Our sparkle?
How we made others feel seen, heard, loved, appreciated?

We all have the choice to create a story that will be remembered for what we want it to be.
We have that choice today.
Right now.
We are not promised tomorrow.

So write your story, my friend.
Write it good and strong and loving and powerful.

May 2025 be your year for creating fabulous new chapters in your story!
And may today be the start of that…

Brenda is a believer in impossible possibilities. In brokenness becoming beautiful. In justice and mercy and honor and power – with love perfecting them all. She is a wife, mom, mimi, daughter, and friend who also enjoys speaking, writing, and coaching.