Letter to my siblings - It’s been three years since the day my Daddy died.

Lynnellen, Billy, and Jo Ann Schneider - April 1962

It’s been three years since the day my Daddy died.

I wrote the following letter to my siblings today:

‘ December 14, 2024

 

Lynnellen and Billy:

Yesterday marked three years since the sad, sad day when Daddy died.  I realized that although it has been three years, my grief still feels fresh.  It’s felt like he just died.  I have not healed and I’m still so, so sad.

I tried to call both of you yesterday because it felt right to just talk to someone else who loved him.  I was disappointed that neither one of you answered, but I didn’t really expect you to answer.  If you had answered maybe we could have just remembered our wonderful father together.

I do know that we’ve had our conflicts and differences since Daddy’s death, but it seems after three years it may be time to at least try to connect and interact once in a while.  We are siblings.  Time heals.  Now may be the time to let the healing occur.

We are also very, very sorry you missed Annabelle’s wedding.  It was the most joyous occasion ever and Daddy would have loved ever second of it.  It felt like his presence was there, but you not being there was very obvious.  Our cousin Cherie actually burst into tears when she saw you were not there.  She so much wanted to connect with family.

When I went to Long Beach I tried to see you Lynnellen and even brought by gifts for your birthday two years in a row.   I was really sad we didn’t connect.  Unfortunately my life in Long Beach has really pretty much ended without the option of a place to stay.  I don’t know when I will go there again, but if you wanted to see me, I’d make a special trip just to spend time with you.  I think about your health and wonder how you are all the time.

Just so you both know, I’ve been very ill.  I am in remission now, but there had even been some concern I’d not be able to go to the wedding. 

A friend of mine recently heard his brother had only a few months to live so he got in his car and drove from Colorado to Southern California just so that he, his brother, and sister could spend time together.  The brother died a few weeks later.

I don’t want any one of us to pass suddenly, but I know the three of us should at least be in communication just in case.  It is not only important for us, but for our children.

I don’t know if you recall that we have a relative on Mom’s side who is a professional family mediator.  Perhaps now that three years has passed that it is time for us to meet with a family mediator just so that in the future we can be family.

 

Sending you love,

 

JO ANN