Lament for a sister

Here's something.

37 years ago my sister would have been born.

But 37 years ago in April we were in a car accident. The car was packed. Me and my two brothers were in the back of the estate my Mum drove. A family of four were in the back seat and Dad sat beside mum. As we turned to cross a road to get into a car park another car hit the front wing and made the car spin fast. Dad flew out of the window, landing on his head on a grid breaking his head and neck. His inner ears drained and miraculously the toddler in the back seat followed him out and landed on his shoulders - which saved her life, but broke his back. However, he wasn't finished. He stood up, head bleeding profusely, and demanded to see us boys. It took several men to get him to lie on the ambulance stretcher. The next day he was immobile. Couldn't speak - they'd put a tracheotomy in, stitched his head back up and loaded him with drugs.

It took a year to rehabilitate him. Even then he was a gaunt shadow of himself. Barely able to walk. Learning to talk and eat with half a throat. No balance making him seem drunk. Mashed brain struggling to make connections again. Seizures taking over his body during the night.

It's a testament to what a mighty man he was that after this incredible setback at 46 he's still alive today at 84.

The only other injury was to my Mum who was wearing a seatbelt. It cut into her so suddenly and sharply that she lost the baby she was carrying. The baby she didn't know about. Her 'cycle' wasn't regular at that time and she'd thought nothing of it.

But about now 37 years ago my sister would have been born.

I sometimes wonder what she would have been like.

I know I look for her in women of a similar age.

How would the three of us grown differently having a little sister?

She could have been a Grandma by now (I'd hope not).

You can't miss what you've never had.

But I do wonder......

Thought I'd share.

Hope your day's been good.