26 Comments
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Kathy Garringer's avatar

So sorry. I have been told that the loss of a sibling is harder on us than the loss of a parent because these are the people who you share specific dna with and usually have special shared experiences with.

My brother died when he was 18 and I was 15. That was 63 years ago and I still have a hole in my heart.

Your pain will ease, and you will remember more of the good times, and the love she poured into you will go on.

Shelly Pagliai's avatar

That sounds true enough. She and I did so much together. I’m so thankful for the good memories.

Mary Beth Baker's avatar

I am so profoundly sorry. Thank you for sharing your loss with us. Holding you close.

Candy Grisham's avatar

Oh Shelly I am so sorry. It is so unexplainable. I lost my brother (younger) in January and it hits hard. Hang tight. Remember what you had. Hugs

Shelly Pagliai's avatar

I didn’t know that. I’m so sorry. It is so hard.

Penny Allen's avatar

Oh I'm so sorry for your loss! Life is so unpredictable and love goes deeper when we realize our loses. May the Lord keep you close to Him.

Kelly Powers's avatar

Oh, Shelly. I am so sorry. My younger and only brother died unexpectedly about 3 years ago. I am not sure the pain ever goes all the way away. You just have to keep reminding yourself that God does indeed have the best plan even though it is difficult to see that at times. I will be praying for you.

Shelly Pagliai's avatar

Thank you so much. Our older brother died unexpectedly 6 years ago. I still miss him, so I’m not hopeful that I’ll ever get over the loss of my sister, too.

Kathy Beavers's avatar

I’m so sorry to hear of your unimaginable loss.

Kelly's avatar

I'm so sorry to hear that ❤️

Ginabeth Young's avatar

Your pain is real❤️ God’s plan is not always what we want, but our faith will carry us. Thank you for sharing this and we look forward to seeing things her Quilty things. 🙏🏻

shirley guier's avatar

So sorry. There are no words. God bless and he will be with you through this journey.

Shelly Pagliai's avatar

Thank you. And a journey it is . . .

Randy's avatar

sending you love love love

Paula Hedges's avatar

Talking about and sharing what seems to be hard to believe, I've found helps accepting the reality that is so unreal. A few years ago, Alzheimer's took my sister although she lived until just six months ago when her death took her away a second time. It is never easy when you realize you can't pick up the phone and call to say "hi" just to hear their voice, or to know you can never hug again and say I love you. But the memories are my strength. And I give myself permission for the tears to flow while I smile and often laugh as those memories are replayed. Thank you for sharing, Shelly. Forever may we keep our sisters close through the memories!

Shelly Pagliai's avatar

It really is just so difficult to even believe it’s real. That part is so hard. I wanna text her, call her, drop by her house and sit at the table with her looking through cookbooks, watch a movie in her studio with her while we quilt together. It’s so hard to believe I can’t do any of that any more. And you, you poor thing — Alzheimer’s disease is horrible. They just gradually leave, while you realize that they don’t remember you any more and there’s nothing you can do or say to make them know who you are. I always felt that my Dad was wondering why his wife kept bringing a total stranger in to sit with him while she ran errands.

Patti H's avatar

So sorry to hear about your sister, I know it has to be so painful. It is hard enough to lose a parent, but a sibling you have known and loved your whole life is devastating too. Not sure how I will react when either of my sisters pass. Hugs.

Shelly Pagliai's avatar

Thank you so much. I was hoping to never find that out, but God definitely has His own plans for all of us.

Susanne's avatar

I’m so sorry for the loss of your dear sister, Shelly. Praying for you and your family.

Shelly Pagliai's avatar

Thank you so much.

Marsha Yahl's avatar

So sorry to hear about your sister. My heart aches for you as it so hard to lose someone so close to you. Sisters are so special. Praying you find peace while working on her quilting projects.

Shelly Pagliai's avatar

Yes, she was a very special sister. It’s been really bittersweet sorting through her projects, and I will be honored to finish them for her.