"Unusual Exercise in Sister Love" - Time Out #143

Reaching out to gently touch another human's life is such a meaningful experience.

This is overwhelming true when that person you touch is so incredibly important to you.

A special person like your only sister, dear readers of Our Town and far beyond.

Several years back, my bride, Debbie, and I were informed we had suddenly lost a beloved family member. My sister, Beverly, and her sole-mate of about 35 years, her husband, Del, were returning to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, on a commercial cruise ship, after a wonderful, multi-day cruise to/from New England, and other northeastern parts of North America. Only 1 day left, and that day being a sea day (no port visit) remained on their scheduled cruise. Suddenly that afternoon, Del had a medical event while on-board the cruise vessel. He was immediately seen by the ship's physician as an emergency visit, and was diagnosed with a probable cva (aka, a stroke). The physician placed Del on life support in their well-equipped ship's medical department, until the vessel docked at Ft, Lauderdale. Once there, an awaiting land ambulance took him to an appropriate emergency room. Shortly after Del's arrival in this land-based emergency setting, he passed away,. My dear sister quickly became a widow.

When Debbie and I were informed of all these developments via telephone, we were devastated, but, hopefully, mentally provided much-needed support for Beverly in her time of great need.

This unfortunate event transpired during the fall calendar that year, and my sister then lived near Tampa, Florida. .Her youngest child, daughter Christi, a registered nurse, then lived near her mother in that northwestern part of Florida. Christi was of great help during that troublesome time. My older brother, C.H. and I, did the best we could, but lived considerable distances away from our sister, C.H. in suburban Washington, D.C., and me in Our Town. Since the Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday period wasn't too far off calendar-wise, my brother and I attempted to "tag team" each other in keeping in touch with our wonderful sister via letters, cards and frequent telephone calls.

I really wanted to give my best attempt to help inject some better feelings into my troubled sister's life for several weeks following her husband's passing. I spoke to my bride in detail about my well thought-out, proposed happy scheme.

The 2nd weekend after Thanksgiving, I was going to pay a total surprise, long weekend visit, to my sister's home. I knew we could spend some quality one-on-one time together before the Christmas celebration days that soon would follow. I would travel to the Sunshine state by myself, leaving Debbie to take care of our homestead responsibilities.

So, I purchased my round trip airline tickets from Oklahoma City to Tampa, and made arrangements for obtaining my rental car at the Tampa airport to take me to Beverly's home. Next, step upon arrival, would be for me to ring her doorbell, and totally surprise her when she opened her front door as I shouted "Merry Christmas!!!" There was only 1 additional critical element of my mission, dear folks.

When Beverly opened her front door, her youngest brother (i.e., me) was appropriately, fully-dressed in a Santa Claus suit; yes indeed, jolly ol' St. Nick in uniform!!

Well, I managed to totally pull off the entire planned surprise. In fact, my sister almost fainted, when that boisterous "Merry Christmas!!!" came bellowing out from behind my fake, flowing white beard..

I will tell you attempting to unpack that entire Santa suit from the front seat of my auto rental, then carefully putting all the components of it on inside the car, while desperately trying not to be seen by anyone near my location, made me feel truly like a "quick change" theater artist.

Beverly and I must have laughed, cried, and embraced for seems like an hour, before we emotionally settled down. The next couple of days were simply wonderful brother/sister time together.

Thank you, reading audience, for allowing me to share this very special life experience with you today. It has been several years since it happened, but still so very fresh in my mind's eye