Saturday, October 17, 2015

Witches in Fiction 2015… Death Rites and Remembrances...

I have missed so much school, the sports carnival, I was looking forward to getting a few more blue ribbons, oh well, I hope I am able to get better in time to compete in the swim carnival, I love swimming, butterfly and backstroke the most, last carnival I let my best friend Erica beat me in the finals, her mother came up to us just before the race, she said she would kill her if she didn't beat me in backstroke, I got upset, so did Erica, we trained together, swimming side by side, we took home 1st & 2nd in that race, my parents were proud of me, I thought they may have been disappointed I let my friend win, no they said, we are disappointed in her mother.

I have had a lot of time to think, thinking I want to be a sports teacher, or a teacher, or maybe nurse... I don't have to decide yet. I love kids haha, my sister Shelle doesn't like them much, mum said it's different when they are your own, then your world orbits them.

Oh a few weeks ago I was allowed back home, Aston's Circus was at Parramatta Park and all the girls from 'Our Lady of Mercy' were going, Sister Edith got Erica and I front seats, it was fun, it looks glamorous, but I could see all the runs and ladders in the trapeze artists sparkly tights, sweat on the lion-tamers face cracks in the clowns makeup, Shelle said you couldn't see it from further back.

This week hasn't been my best, I've been so tired, but tonight I feel better, I was really angry and scared yesterday because Father Scott gave me 'last rites' I told him I didn't need them, but he said it was to give me strength, so guess that's ok...

My nails are so long now, I used to bite them, they were awful, but Diane one of the nurses always paints them, 'frosted amber' at the moment, I love my new nails, and my hair is now growing back, everyone thinks it suits me, I like it, it is thick and has a curl.

Hey did I say? My oldest sister has a boyfriend, us other siblings liked to sneak down & spy on them kissing in the TV room after we were supposed to have gone to bed... I'm 15 years old now, never been kissed... Shelle says a girl at school said you can practice kissing with an orange, I want to learn piano when I go back to school, but not with cranky old Sister Pascal, she hit me across the knuckles when I missed a note, I packed up my music book & put down the piano lid after that lesson, she said she didn't believe I never got hit at home & I told her none of my family hits anyone & left the room. 

I miss the pranks we got up to back home, squirting doorbells, invisible ink, the funny woopee cushion slipped under a pillow waiting for a guest to sit on & seeing them go bright red when it farted... and the pretend competition dancing nights... 1, 2 chachacha...

Tonight I was hungry, and all the family were here, even dad, he got out from hospital last week, the guys walked to the shop and bought take-away hot chips, I only had 3 or 4, dad has been home with my sisters and brother, helping Grandma look after the house and kids, he said apparently she nearly killed everyone the other night, she got the cayenne pepper and chicken stock mixed up when she was cooking the mince hahaha, everyone laughs and hugs each other, we are family. My other little brother is here in hospital with me, we are in the same room, he is so small, and white... He got sick the same time as me, he doesn't sleep in his bed though, the doctors bought in an old lounge chair, mum sits all night, and my little brother sleeps on her, it is good my mum stays with us, during the day she goes visits my dad when he is in hospital, but now he is discharged she stays with us, and everyone comes here to visit, it is late, the family have just left, I so want us to go home with them, I told mum tomorrow I will sit in the sun, outside our hospital room, and when I am stronger, and my brother is ok, we will all go home.

Witches in Fiction 2015 'Death Rites and Remembrances' is hosted by my friend Magaly Guerrero and her celebration of those we honour through stories, art & memories is why I wanted to share a small part of my sister Bernice's life. She died that night, and to this day, I swear she was in the car and travelled home with us, her presence so strong, I was 17 and pulled over the car over because I knew someone was in the back seat, we did not find out until the phone rang when we walked in the door back home that she had died just after we left.

 "Home"



Detail "Home"

Please enter Magaly's give away of my artwork & so many other goodies donated by the talented & generous bloggers taking part in this celebration by commenting on posts listed here & adding "Magaly, do throw my name into your witchy cauldron!" Much love to those celebrating & remembering all who touched our lives & were taken away too soon.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh wow, Shelle. This has me covered in goosebumps. What a beautiful way to share your sisters story. Sending you hugs and strength.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Very, very powerful story about your sister -- and telling it in the first person makes it even more so. WOW!

Sharon Rawson said...

Oh, Shelle, what a wonderful story! I loved how you told it in a stream of consciousness way. I swear I could hear her doing the talking. Thank you for sharing your sister with us!

Debi said...

Shelle, your tribute and art honours your dear sister everyday.....True pure love never dies. Thank you for sharing this heart swelling memory! xo

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

Oh Shelle, I feel so honored at being able to read about your sister. I'm sure she did travel home with you. Thank you for the beautiful telling and the fabulous art piece. Love you bunches, Oma Linda

greekwitch said...

This was beautiful!! Thank you so much for that! I am so sorry for your loss. Losing a sibling at such a young age is horrible. Your experience in the car was very powerful.
You know, I had a similar experience. We were driving to go see my grandma because my aunt told us it was time and it was a long drive so I fell asleep. And I saw her in the most intense yet uneventful dream of my life. SHe was just there. She did not say anything and I was just looking at her and by the end of the dream I woke up gasping for air. I started crying although we had not yet heard any bad news. When we arrived they informed us that she passed a little while ago. My parents were so upset they did not say goodbye, but I sort of did.

Rommy said...

Shelle, this was just lovely. The story was perfect and poignantly written. I am so sorry you had to loose someone so close to you.

Ms Misantropia said...

I know it was long ago now, but I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing, and what a beautiful piece of art that painting is.

Little Gothic Horrors said...

Oh gosh... that was so sad and beautiful, Shelle! I'm so sorry your family experienced such a tragedy, but this was a wonderful tribute to your sister. xo

Magaly Guerrero said...

So... I'm a bit of a mess right now. I swear I felt her reading over my shoulder, whispering bits about dancing and swimming and smiling (and grimacing at the same time because she is still feeling a bit disappointed of her friend's mom). I'm glad I held on to the story... I needed to read this to make it more Bernice.

Did I mention that I'm currently a mess of tears and smiles and snot? Because I am. And that's okay. Because I know they are dancing... ♥

hedgewitch said...

A remembrance so vivid it was like being there with your sister, your whole family--so sad, it was difficult to read through the tears. Thanks for sharing this heartfelt piece.My favorite line was 'I told her none of my family hits anyone..'That is a joyous thing.

Anonymous said...

That image is so many things at once. Powerful and unnerving. Sweet and sad. And the smile is sweet and hopeful. It's a wonderful creation to go with a wonderful story and it was so good and brave of you to share it with us all.

Melancholy and Menace said...

I'm deeply sorry for your loss and my heart goes out to you.
Such a heartfelt post and the accompanying painting is just perfect! ♥

Holly said...

I got the keyboard wet typing this, you sister's tale moved me to such. Thanks for sharing your memories. I'm amazed at your talents. Hope you have a blessed week.

Laura S Reading said...

What a beautiful tribute. She sounds so very strong and I love that she did get to ride along home.

Magic Love Crow said...

Shelle, for some reason, I can't comment on your blog??

Magic Love Crow said...

Ok, you got that comment! Darn it!
I will write what I did before. I am crying! What you wrote is such a beautiful tribute to your sister! She was with you driving home. Sending out love to you and your family!!