If Only You Could Have Stayed

• by Terry Connell
• 2 months ago

My beloved sister Carolyn was taken away from me suddenly with a heart attack on November 14, just some 6 weeks ago. It seems a lifetime already, and I just can't imagine the rest of my life without her. The poem is beautiful, and I relate to the words and sympathize with all comments made. It would seem life is never to be the same. My heart goes out to all, and I can only take strength in her beautiful, short life, aged just 47. Love to all, Terry xxx

• by Angelica Cardenas
• 11 months ago

This poem was very touching. I lost my sister on February 12, 2018. My family and I were at my grandmother's funeral services when my sister called and said she was not feeling too well. She even called my mom to say she loved her. My father was on vacation in Mexico, and she also called him and said she loved him. She had called us on the night of February 11th. Luckily we were able to drive back 5 hours and see her. She passed away around 8:30pm from influenza B, which caused heart complications. She was not even in the hospital 24 hours before she passed. We thought we she going to get better. She was my best friend. I miss her very much. My sister was my motivator. She was healthy and strong. She leaves behind 2 young children and a husband. I still cannot accept what happened.

• by Victoria M Elwood
• 11 months ago

I lost my little sister on February 22, 2018. She went to bed and never woke up. They said she had a heart attack in her sleep. I will miss her more than I can say. We were very close.

• by Matt Swallow
• 11 months ago

I lost my wife very suddenly, just shy of two years ago. The pain I feel having lost her has never ebbed, because of the manner in which she was taken from me. As with all grief, I know that "time heals all wounds," and coping has become somewhat easier. I know I will never be the same. Melinda was the first person to accept me as I am, loved me anyway, and I reciprocated as best I could. The holiday season is still unbearable, when even among my siblings (we lost our parents within a span of 2 years, and my wife was gone within the following 2) and their families, I feel utterly alone. Again, I know this feeling will eventually go away, but until it does (and grief counseling has been of no help either), I remain an empty vessel.

Having read the evocative words of Catherine's poem has brought back to the surface the anguish of knowing Melinda's loss could have been prevented and that I shall never be able to get justice for her.

• by Mary Shepherd
• 1 year ago

My little sister passed away suddenly on January 18, 2018, at age 38. She was in overall good health. She went to sleep and never woke up. We still are unsure of the cause of death as we are still waiting on the autopsy. I miss her. She was my best friend, my everything. Thank you for your story.

• by Alyson
• 1 year ago

My sister died on the 6th of January 2018. She fought for 5 years with leukemia. She was 21 months younger than me. This poem is exactly how I am feeling. Thank you.

• by Rachel Auguste
• 1 year ago

I lost my baby sister. She was just 39 years old. She died July 26, 2017. My heart is truly broken. My sister and I were just 22 months apart. We did everything together, from getting in trouble as teens to giving birth to our children. She was found dead face down in her apartment that dreadful summer morning. She left behind a 6 year old boy and a 4 year old girl. She overdosed on heroin. We didn't even know she had a problem. She hid it very well. My heart bleeds because I didn't know she was too embarrassed to tell me. I guess she was always depressed and always on anti-depressants. Life will never be the same.

• by Bayode Adedayo
• 1 year ago

My sister died on May 9, 2017. She had been struggling with cancer since last year. She lived in London while I am here in Nigeria. She came to Nigeria last year, unknown to me that would be the last time I would see her. She left three lovely kids, a boy and two girls. So painful and so sad. I'm still hurting and I just can't be consoled. A year and nine months ago we lost our Mum, and now my sister is gone also. She was just 39. If only I can see God and ask HIM why? IF LOVE COULD HAVE SAVED YOU…R.I.P MY DEAR SISTER.

• by Cindy States
• 2 years ago

I lost my sister on January 28, 2017. It was the worst day of my life. She was only 47. She had chronic asthma and COPD. She went into cardiac arrest and 6 days later I had to pull the plug because she had lost too much oxygen to the brain (15 min before they revived her) that she had too much brain damage, not brain dead but brain damage severely. Saturday I'm giving her a remembrance of her life party and saying goodbye. We have been through a lot: drug addiction, alcoholic mother as teenagers, and her losing her son. She was a BIG HEARTED woman that just seemed to get the raw end of the stick in life. She always hoped to see her son again before she died. He is 10 now. Although they had a relationship via phone, she just wanted to see him again, but he was there by her bedside before she passed. My heart breaks for her because of this. I miss her so much. She was always there. Why did it have to be her? I'm sorry, my beautiful sister, so very sorry. Just know I will never forget you. RIP CIN

• by Shermeka
• 2 years ago

My only sibling, my sister-28 years old, died Friday, January 6, due to Lupus (SLE). She was just diagnosed with it in 2016, and I've also had it since 2005. My mom also has it. This poem mean a lot to me. Thanks for posting it!

• by Jennifer Ianelli
• 2 years ago

I lost my sister back in '89. She took her own life by a gunshot to her heart when she was only 17 and I was 14. I still grieve her death. She was my only sister, and now that I'm 42, I am still not at closure. I feel like I'm alone because I don't understand why I'm like the way I am. I cry and miss her so much, and people say time heals all. Well in my case, that is not it. I have been in and out of therapy, hospitals, and everything you can imagine... My heart hurts so bad. I actually had to go on medications, but I do not want to depend on them because I feel like they mask the hurt only to hurt more after you take them. I feel such anger and sadness and dark darkness.

• by Leslie Cervantez
• 2 years ago

My oldest sister just passed 8/25/2016, she had MS and dimentia. She was 55 for 3 days. We knew it was near, waiting for the call to go there. My sister was over 100 miles away, I needed to be there, the call that came was I'm sorry she passed. Reading these poems has helped ease my pain of not being there, thank you!

• by Chrissy
• 2 years ago

I can't thank you enough for writing this beautiful poem. I just lost my sister on Wed. This is 100% spot on to what I'm feeling.

Love you forever rip Julie Anne.

• by Marget Kelly
• 2 years ago

Searching for a poem to read at my sister's memorial. Trying to type through tears. My sister lost her battle with cancer 8 July 2016, aged 56. I thank you for these beautiful words and your generosity to share them. That's how they stay with us.. That's what sisters do. I wish you peace.

• by Alicia
• 2 years ago

My beautiful sister was twenty eight and died from an aggressive form of cancer..she braved loosing her leg...her hair ...her dignity at one point in time..but remained the strongest woman I'll ever know. She was my best friend...my hero. I held her in my arms when she passed....and I know I will never forget that moment..I had to let her go.

• by Denise-Anwen Morgan
• 2 years ago

I lost my younger sister on the 24th of April 2016 due to cancer of the peritoneum, she was 56. My older sister died in 2011 almost 5 years to the day, due to bowel cancer, she was 60 at the time and bravely fought off her cancer for 7 years. I feel alone now, but have my memories and their children and grandchildren to console me. Thinking of them always.

• by Jenny Lever
• 2 years ago

I can not believe the pain. My youngest sister passed away on the 3rd March peacefully. No more unbearable pain from the cancer that had overtaken her 46 year old body. We are left now with unbearable pain. I wonder why it happened and I am still having trouble believing that it did. It feels like a nightmare and her service felt like it was the worst day of my life. Her ashes were scattered at the head lands near where she lived. I thought that this would bring some peace but that failed. I am not ready to say goodbye.

• by Swaylo Galloway
• 3 years ago

My sister died on January 21, 2016. She had been in 2 different hospitals. She spent Christmas and New Years there. The 30 days that my sister was hospitalized I never got to touch or talk to her. Christmas night I did get to go see her and she was sleeping so peacefully that we wouldn't wake her because she had had a bad, painful night. She told my daughter that she was tired. I left her a note that nite told her I had been by and I would see her the next day and most of all, I loved her. I miss her so much and wish I could take back all the fights and fussing we did back. I had one of my cousins to read this poem at the memorial. It is so BEAUTIFUL.
Rest In Peace Sister Dear Until We Meet Again SELECIA J. CORBETT--4/22/64-01/21/16'''.

• by C
• 3 years ago

I lost my sister today and this poem says everything I'm feeling right now. I will forever love and miss her. Gone too soon :(

• by Joan Dow, Strathclyde Scotland
• 3 years ago

Thank you for sharing your poem with the world.
I lost my youngest sister aged 35 to Cervical Cancer
(Ladies everywhere please REMEMBER to go for your scheduled smear test) Leaving behind 2 little brave boys aged 11 and 9.
My sister passed away 19th August 2014 the day after my Birthday, and the day before our youngest brothers Birthday. I am blessed with another 2 younger sisters and 2 younger brothers,whom I love very dearly.
Not a day goes by without crying, I miss my sister so much, and with each passing day it is not getting any easier. Your poem just slots in with how I am feeling and thinking. Bless you for sharing and I do hope each day gets a little easier for you and for others out there who are grieving a loss.

Regards Joan.

• by Cailey Julian
• 3 years ago

I lost my sister a year ago on December 27th, 2014. She was a diabetic and had pneumonia. Her pneumonia coupled with her low blood sugar made is so that when she finally laid down to rest after being awake all day, her lung collapsed and she couldn't save herself because her sugar was so low that she couldn't move. I miss her every single day. No one should die at 24 and leave behind her family and fiancee, but for some reason she did. She was beautiful and I am not saying that because she died. She was smart and going to graduate school to become a history professor. Life is cruel sometimes. Your poem was beautiful and I am so sorry for your loss.

• by Andria
• 3 years ago

Thank you so much for this beautiful poem. It perfectly describes how I've felt every day since my sister died last year. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of her. This poem encompasses everything I feel so well that I have gotten a tattoo for my sister with the quote "if only you could of stayed" written below it.

• by Bobbi T, Prescott
• 3 years ago

I just lost my sister yesterday unexpectedly (my one and only sibling) and my heart is breaking into a million pieces. She was only 49 and was older than me by 21 months. This poem expresses EVERYTHING that I am feeling but couldn't put into words. Thank you for this.

• by Jessie Rose, North Dakota
• 4 years ago

My sister passed away just a few hours ago, after a long battle with a chronic illness. My heart is breaking and this poem expressed the way I feel. She wasn't just my sister, she was my best friend. There is a huge hole in my world, but she is at peace and no longer suffering.

• by Whitey Olson
• 4 years ago

We lost our sister 3 months ago at the age of 53, way too soon. This poem meant a lot to me. Not a day goes by that I don't think about her. She is missed by me, her brother and many family and friends. Don't worry we will take care of Ron and Skylar. Miss you Karin, your brother, Whitey :))

• by Cathy Collinson, Arkansas
• 4 years ago

My oldest niece passed away 2 weeks ago today (6/21/14). She was only 33 years old and had a 7 year old son. Her sister, 22 months younger, was looking for something to express how she felt about her. She found your poem and knew she had found it. It expresses what how she felt about her sister. The girls didn't get along so well when they were younger, but by the time they were married and had kids, they were the best of friends. Thank you for providing a work everyone can attest to!

• by Brittiny, Michigan USA
• 4 years ago

This poem made me cry just thinking of my sister. This is also very beautiful at the same time. I just lost my 14 year old little sister in September 2013 to suicide. I miss her so much there are no words to desribe this pain and sadness. I have written a poem for her as well and read it at her funeral, and she also has a copy of it in her casket with her. I miss her more and more every single day. Wherever I look it seems she is always there. I miss you and love you babygirl. RIP Nicole
~Brittiny~

• by Garnette, California USA
• 4 years ago

I lost my younger sister to cancer in May of 2003.. I'd been mad at her for a couple of years over some stupid sister thing but in May of 2002 I was driving to work and it was just a beautiful day. I decided I was done with being angry and wound up calling her and making a trip to visit a couple of weeks later. Just a few short weeks after my trip we found out she had very advanced ovarian cancer. I was her caregiver the last months of her life and I will forever be grateful that I contacted her before I knew she was sick and that I was given those too few months to be a real sister to her again. I will miss her always~

• by Jean, North Wales
• 5 years ago

My sister has terminal cancer and doesn't live close by so I may not be with her when she passes away, this poem and the further words from others who have lost their sister too, have helped me so much they say exactly how I feel too.
I am writing a letter to her which is to go with her at her funeral, it is from me to her and for no one else to see and the words from others have helped me say how I feel to her and it will go with her spirit to wherever her next journey takes her.

• by Laura
• 5 years ago

This poem touched my heart. On July 2013 my best friend committed suicide. Leaving family and friends behind. We will miss her forever. Even though we will never know why she did it I just wish she would have stayed. It will never be the same without her.

• by Denise, Leeds
• 5 years ago

I read this during another sleepless night since the loss of my beautiful youngest sister 2 and half weeks ago. It sums up everything that is happening and everything I am feeling. I have three other remaining sisters, am surrounded by loving family and yet still feel alone. Thank you.

• by Eben
• 5 years ago

My immediate senior sister was buried two weeks ago and it is difficult to bear the pain. Her fond memories keeps hitting me now and then and cannot bear the heartache especially, when I am alone. This part of your poem is so real and that is my case;

Surrounded by family,
I still feel alone.
My heart is so empty,
this pain I must own.

• by Maribeth Addona, Palm Beach Gardens
• 5 years ago

Dear Catherine,

What a beautiful poem. I lost my youngest sister to Ovarian cancer in April. She was my best friend and I miss her so much. It is so hard for me to comprehend that I will never see her or hear her voice again. The pain in my heart is so heavy, words cannot describe. She was so brave and courageous and I admired her so much for that. She never showed fear.
I will try not to be sad for what I will miss, but strong for what she has left me with, a heart full of love and a life full of the best memories a sister could ask for. Thank you for your poem.
It speaks volumes about your sister and your love for her. Maribeth

• by Renee Hart, Colfax La
• 6 years ago

Your poem really touched my heart. I lost my sister Annette in September 2012. She died suddenly. She died of complications with her diabetes. This poem you wrote hit it on the nail. I miss her so much. I would love to see her and touch her again. This loss has been really hard for me. She was the oldest of 4 children. I am 2nd oldest and she helped me in so many ways. As did your poem.