Today is my sister’s birthday. August 29, 1958. Next month, she will have been gone two full years. It’s hard to believe, and if I were to think about it hard enough, I know she’s on the other end of my phone call. Yes. I still have her contact information in my phone. I just cannot make myself remove it.

6 years ago I flew to Dutch Harbor for her birthday. School was in session so she was busy most of the day, but it was still pretty light at night that we enjoyed sight seeing. Her Jeep, to my knowledge, is still out there. She sold it as she was leaving, headed into Retirement. I baked her a cake! Her teacher friends had a celebration (will post that video later on!). We toured WWII remnants, and yes, the war hit the islands.

Teresa worked hard to reach retirement, sacrificing her desires for her needs. That was her personality. It wasn’t much about what she wanted, but what was needed.

Since she married and moved off, it seems they were moving a lot, I made it to every destination except Nuiquit, Alaska. Let’s see. Albuquerque, NM… Farmington, NM… Pearland, Tx… Afognak, AK, Dutch Harbor…Alaska, of course.

I’m the oldest of the siblings, so I guess I could say I had a different relationship with her than others, but there was something special about her that everyone liked.

My memories do not fade. They are enriched through the years with tidbits of forgotten words, scenes and events.

Love you, Teresa…

By Michael Gurley

Making Sense of Life, One Thought at a Time!