49 Responses

  1. Diane Engh
    Diane Engh at |

    Thank you dear sister for writing such a beautiful honest tribute to Rhonda. It is so heartfelt and true. Love you Diane.

    Reply
    1. Lenora
      Lenora at |

      Beautifully written, Colleen. Brought some memories back for me of long ago.

      Reply
  2. Nancy Sotham
    Nancy Sotham at |

    Hi Colleen, I discovered your amazing blog through our mutual friend Irene. I’ve read your posts for years now, but have never commented until now. This post about your sister resonated with me to my core. What a powerful piece of writing! You have written things I have been holding in my heart for decades. You captured every profound detail of what loving a mentally ill addict is like. Thank you for sharing your experiences and wise words with your readers. It’s a relief to know I’m not alone in how I feel. I grew up with an alcoholic father who had a severe personality disorder. My dad was funny, musical, charming and highly intelligent. And yet he tore our family to shreds. My sisters and I were at his bedside when he died. Sadly, he was still angry with us and the world at large. His death was not a peaceful one, his face did not change as his spirit left his body. But I am grateful for the experience as it gave me a chance to re-connect, say good-bye and forgive him. I said everything I needed to. Thank you again Colleen, for sharing your beautifully honest words with the world. I feel healed by reading them.

    Reply
  3. Ingrid Emans
    Ingrid Emans at |

    Wow Colleen you nailed it..Good on you for sharing this sad story. I could go on a little too, but I certainly do not have your talent for words.
    I will just say there sure were a lot of fun and very crazy times with all of us.
    I will for sure never forget her.
    My condolences to you and all the family.

    Reply
  4. Frank Dyck
    Frank Dyck at |

    Dear Colleen
    What a beautiful ending to what was so hard.
    Our time with Rhonda over the years always made us think of the privileges she had but did not worry about consequences. From times at the lake to the year at our place in Wpg.
    I felt sorry for her because she could not understand her mother love.
    Then the few years we tried to help her when she needed to satisfy her devil and went to the store to satisfy her craving.
    She was always loving to me and Aunt Anne. I wanted to help. Now she is free.
    Love to you Colleen.

    Reply
  5. Evelyn Davidge
    Evelyn Davidge at |

    We are so sorry to hear of your sisters passing. What a beautiful article!
    May you find peace in her passing.

    Reply
  6. Susan Elmajian
    Susan Elmajian at |

    Oh Dear Colleen.
    A beautifully written piece and tribute to your sister. Also a very necessary process for your healing. Love you Darling. Biggest Hug.

    Reply
  7. Carol Wiebe
    Carol Wiebe at |

    What stands out for me most here, Colleen, is that gift you received of witnessing the terrible beauty of your sister’s death. Rhonda had it all—beauty, smarts, talent. Somehow, those attributes were not enough. She could not seem to hold onto what many of us saw as the true Rhonda. Only glimpses became available.

    And yet, you watched her face become translucent. You watched her find peace. Some of us just seem to have to travel a very rough road to get there.

    Love to you, and to all of us in this terrible and beautiful world.

    Reply
  8. Laurie McConnell
    Laurie McConnell at |

    Colleen. Dear, dear Colleen.
    What a beautiful piece of writing. I cried when I read “You left on a river of love and were met by an ocean.” You captured addiction so well, and as someone who has a daily reprieve from it, it’s no matter that I got out early before true wreckage was created, I know for those susceptible to it, it is a miracle to escape it and hell on earth to be trapped in it. Thank you for being you, for loving from afar, for loving Sean and Carma and creating the stability of family, while still keeping Rhonda in your heart and prayers. I wish I could have known you as sisters when you were young, I believe I would have loved her as much as I love you.

    Reply
  9. barb
    barb at |

    What an incredible piece Colleen, i can’t stop weeping thinking of all that could have been………. Rhonda was so fortunate to have you there with her at the end, i was so hoping for that outcome after all the pain that has happened over the years. You have been an incredible sister and mother to her children, you are a saint in my books. I have a stepdaughter with many of the same issues that i am trying to accept with unconditional love and you have been an inspiration as usual. Blessings.

    Reply
  10. Kate Saunders
    Kate Saunders at |

    Dear Colleen – I’m Bridget aka Bridgie’s older sister and a neighbour of your family from Cherry Street days. Your tribute to Rhonda is heartbreakingly beautiful and so very honest. My heart aches for you and all your family. Losing a sibling to addiction is a cruel experience. Thank you for sharing these poignant words with your blog followers. I am so very sorry for your loss.

    Reply
  11. Kelly
    Kelly at |

    Peace be with you Colleen ❤️

    Reply
  12. Leigh
    Leigh at |

    That is a thoughtful, beautiful, incredibly well written from the heart piece of writing. I’m sorry for your pain and what your sister lived with.

    Reply
  13. Catherine
    Catherine at |

    So sorry Colleen to hear about the death of your sister. I know it was a difficult love because of her addictions but you have done the right thing remembering her when she was a happy child and your youth together. It is the only thing you can do. I wish you peace and love.

    Reply
  14. Ann
    Ann at |

    Such a beautiful piece Colleen, at the end of these types of journeys of our loved ones is peace which is all we ever want for them. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  15. Kathy Provost
    Kathy Provost at |

    What truth and love you speak , in speaking about about Rhonda. Your words broke me, I cried for the loss, for the waste, for the sadness and hurt . She was such an inspiration , so talented, so full of life and so destructive . It was so thrilling and exciting to be around her when we were young and I was always so sad that she could never release herself from her demons. Thank you for sharing the end of her life with me through your blog. Some people leave big impressions, she did. She will always be remembered . Please let me know when you are having a memorial .

    Reply
  16. Dee dee
    Dee dee at |

    Your writing is always straight from the heart. I know this must have been difficult to write. I admire your strength, your honesty and your devotion to see this through. ❤️ Bless you and your Stardust✨

    Reply
  17. Patty Rodriguez
    Patty Rodriguez at |

    Such a beautiful letter to your Sis. I understand your frustration, your anger and your love. To continue to have hope when it seems to be futile is just what we do. I pray you find peace in your memories and in knowing Rhonda is free to be the big sister I’m sure she longed to be. Huge hugs Colleen, I’m so sorry for your loss❤️

    Reply
  18. Bridget Leslie
    Bridget Leslie at |

    Oh Colleen, such sorrow, such wonderful raw words to honour your sister. I am so fortunate to have memories of Rhonda when she was a bright spark in life. A young women who we both adored, who was beautiful, who could do anything she put her mind to. Addictions steal those people from us. It is our loss to lose people while they are still with us. May she now find peace and create and spread her sparkle once again.

    Sending love and kindness to your family and Rhonda’s children.

    Much love, Bridget

    Reply
  19. Anne Linfoot
    Anne Linfoot at |

    Oh my god Colleen, so sorry to read this blog. My heart goes out to you Diane & family. I remember her sense of humour, I used to look forward to her visits at Anglo, she made us laugh so hard we almost pissed ourselves. She is truly at peace now, her struggle is over. Please keep us posted on the service. So sorry for your loss.

    Reply
  20. AnneLise
    AnneLise at |

    Beautiful words from a beautiful, thoughtful, loving, caring, wounded soul.

    Reply
  21. Bruce
    Bruce at |

    What a beautiful love letter to add to the memories and stories where your sister continues to exist. And, within your own grief may you also find peace, love and happiness.

    Reply
  22. Bruce
    Bruce at |

    Colleen may you too find peace in her passing. Love to you. Bruce

    Reply
  23. Gwen Morrison
    Gwen Morrison at |

    Oh my dear friend. The love. The pain. Can’t have one without the other, it seems, eh? I’m so so very happy you wrote this — for you, for others. And so happy you were there with your sister. That must have been so difficult. I love you and miss you and wish you peace, always. So sorry for your loss, Colleen.

    Reply

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