To the Kind Soul Who Sent Flowers on My Sister's Birthday

Gratitude is overflowing from my heart as I received an unexpected gift today from a listener. Today is February 5, and it is a special day to me. It is my sister Katie's birthday. I still find it impossible to type or even utter these words, but my sister died this past April, 2023.

In the conventional journey of grieving, when an anniversary or birthday arrives after a loved one has past, it can often casts a somber cloud that takes over your day.

Yet, on Katie's birthday, I refuse to allow such shadows to dim the light in my heart and the love I have for her. I will not let the indescribable pain take over her happy days on earth. And there were so many of them.

On-air, I made a pledge to commemorate my sister's life today, embracing the opportunity to amplify her legacy and honor the electric joy she brought into the world.

After the radio show ended, we received a call from outside of the studio, saying there was a delivery for me.

As I opened the door, I immediately saw the most breathtaking arrangement of purple flowers. The significance of the flowers were unmistakable, because Katie's favorite color is purple.

To the listener who sent me flowers today,

Your gesture of compassion envelopes me in love and overwhelming, deep emotion.

The journey through loss since she has died defies comprehension, and at times has been a very lonely one. I tend to compartmentalize my feelings when it comes to trauma and tragedy, because it's how I survive. But sharing my pain has been cathartic and hard, but also healing.

I firmly hold the belief that a sibling is the most profound reflection of oneself.

Born of the same parents, sharing the same bloodline, Katie and I are intertwined together for eternity. She is an extension of me, and the day she departed to join God, a piece of me went with her.

And what is left are the memories.

To all who have weathered profound loss like this, my heart extends to you, and I thank you for not letting me walk in grief alone.

I know I will probably never know who you are, but you reminded me today that I need to continue to share not only my joy, but my pain. Because in our shared pain, we find each other.

Thank you truly.

Love,

Lizzy Snyder

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Gallery Credit: Lizzy Snyder