Springtime Miracle
Vivid
Frightening
The first time
I saw you
Hooked up
To tubes
Tiny
Bloated
Barely alive
Hot tears
Burned my face
Whimpers escaped
My lips
An eight year old
Should not have to
Witness
Such tragedy
That night
My heart opened
To the heavens
Innocent
Praying
For your survival
Let her come home
Please
God
Let her come home
And eventually
You did
My baby sister
A springtime miracle
Swaddled in soft cloth
And wearing a bonnet
Capturing my heart
and never letting go
©2014 Jill Baker
Snapshots 
My youngest sister came into my life at the perfect time. I was eight and loved playing with dolls; feeding them, clothing them, giving them baths, rocking them. Although unfortunate for my discarded dolls, I now had a real live baby to love and nurture. The picture I chose to accompany this reflection was taken with my sister, Andrea, one week before our mother died in October of 2013. If you look closely, you will see how tired and stressed we were, knowing we could no longer escape the inevitability of dealing with death. Andrea showed a strength during this time that I didn’t know she possessed (one that I am enviable of), and though she still seems “little” to me, her life has come full circle in my eyes. I am so very proud of the woman that she has become. Rock on Sis!