Here it Comes

July 27th.

Before last year it was just another day.

But then last year happened and it became THE day.

It became the day that life changed forever and I only had one sister to experience the future with.

I have struggled with the loss since Elena left us, but the grief and pain has gotten worse over the last few weeks because I know that this time last year we were hopeful. We thought she'd get better. We never believed that our butterfly would be taken from us by the flu.

But then July 27th happened and she was - in fact - gone. Since she left us she missed the joy of finding out she'd be an aunt and eventually getting to meet Madeline. She missed Frankie's karate matches and hearing about Laura's trip to Spain to see the running of the bulls. She missed friends getting married and her best friend having a baby.

Her passing created holes in many lives. Holes that will never be filled but may get slightly smaller as time goes on.

Her name still shows up in my google contacts. Her profile shows up on Facebook. I can't bring myself to get rid of them.

I miss her. And I know I'm not alone.