I have two sisters. One, I have known for almost 45 years, practically all my life.. the other came into my life rather belatedly, and we rediscovered our sisterhood only when my father passed away almost two years ago.
Both are very special to me, but my “little sister”, Ofie, is like a half twin. “Half” because we don’t quite look alike — but we are in many ways, joined at the hip. While like most siblings, we have our moments when we want to grab each other’s hair and yank real hard, I have always considered my sister and I to be very close. All four of us are — Ofie and my two brothers.. and we are pulling my half sister, Pam, into the fold. But Ofie and I are bonded for life as girlfriends are.
My favorite story has always been how she wouldn’t hesitate to borrow my underwear or even my toothbrush, but she wouldn’t use the same spoon I used at the dinner table. =)
When I came home to bury my father in July of 2010, my bestfriend told me that my sister, Ofie, had some health issues. She had to have an operation to have something taken cared of, and when I left, I wrote her and asked that she take care of it soonest. I even pleaded that I needed her healthy because if anything happened to me, I wanted her to be there for Angelo.
The months passed until my father’s first death anniversary came and went, and when I came home in December 2011, I nagged her about taking care of it again. Finally when I saw her this March, she said she was already having prework done. Last week, she had the surgery, and it was more radical than even I thought it would be, and she has been very brave through it all. I would’ve been a nervous wreck if it was me — like I am trying to not to think of my own diagnostic procedure which I have postponed and which my gynecologist then postponed and which is finally happening this week on the 12th.
We haven’t heard about the results of the biopsy but I’m praying very hard that it is nothing to worry about. I wish I could be there when she goes back to the doctor for her post op check up on Wednesday. I had bugged my brothers right and left about why no one was going to be there when she went under the knife except my sister-in-law. I admonished my brother to make sure he got the explanation from the doctor about what the procedure was all about and what the findings were. I wanted to be there.
As the eldest at 46, Ofie is 44, Abril is 42, and Nikky will be 28 soon.. I worry about them meeting an accident or getting involved in some mishap or other — but in my mind, they are healthy as can be and will grow to a ripe old age with me. I’d still like to believe that, even now. So at a time like this, I’m rattled. I worry about Ofie.. I pray she’ll be fine. I pray she recovers and heals quickly. I wish I could be there to take care of her.
Get well soon, sis. I’m here if you need me. Take care of yourself because I need you to be around for as long as I am… life wouldn’t be the same without you. I love you, Suzy.
Pinay New Yorker 