seven

As I sat on my mothers bed and she looked at me and said “I don’t have long to live,” I stared into her eyes holding back the tears…then I looked to her left and my aunt was sitting next to her. Then the doorbell rang. I ran, it was her other sister.

That night four grown men showed up at my door. That night she said to me “Do you know all my brothers told me they loved me today? That’s cool!”

The Parella seven have long been legend in this town, but that day they were my heros. As each of them walked through the door, I had seen horrible hurt in all their eyes, but they were there TO support not FOR support.

Her sisters were here armor. My aunts fought for her like I’d never seen. It was her we called to get us to the hospital at 5a.m.

My cousins and I always made fun of them, “My sissy” is what Lisa would call Laura. They were best friends, raised their children together just down the street. Soccer, baseball, marine world…Saturday Afternoons, shopping, and ten phone calls a day, they were always together, and loved each other for it. Her sister; her friend.

it was her that wouldn’t leave her sisters bedside. My mom had her own bodyguard in her youngest sister. She walked with her when they transferred her, she went home only a single time.

One sister was not enough to get their older sister to the hospital. She was stubborn. I remember that day I looked at my brother and said “she thinks she’s never coming back home. (I thought she was crazy).

When he second sister showed up, the closest to her age, her partner in crime growing up, she still refused to go. It brought me back to all the silly arguments I’d seen them have over the years. Always ending in laughter and fun while they lasted. She had always been exceptional to her. I remember planning her special birthday with my mom and the entire time was like we were working on a secret mission. To pull this off would be the story of the century I thought. I still remember the thank you notes we received. Especially the one to my mom. I knew in that moment what it was to have a sibling as a best friend.

She was by her side for endless hours. Going home only to sleep on select nights. She dealt with the doctors and was on told of security when they dared try and kick her family out. She was part of the army that would let nothing happen to her sister; her friend.

Before we could get her to the hospital her brother had to show up. We called him Superman. He was our anchor. The strength and courage he showed to my brothers and I is immeasurable. He took control when we needed it and never let us go it alone. Matt is who drove my brother and I home the one time we dared leave, he calmed us with his words and he settled us with his knowledge. He never lied to us. Never buttered it up but never got brutal with the truth. He was what we needed. And he himself was so hurt and sad. He loved his sister as we loved our mother. His sister: his friend.

As we all sat in the hospital room night after night. All the siblings were there. Some able to laugh, some able only to cry. But everyday they showed up, and while so many more showed up in the waiting areas they remained by their sisters side Laura, Lynne, Mick, Lisa, Mitch, Matt and Marc were together in that hospital multiple times in the eldest last days. Just like they had been that Christmas. As one. As a team.

This song isn’t about death, its not even sad. To me its what my mom would say to her sisters if she called them today. And although I know they are both probably ready to slap me after reading this, I just need them and everyone else to know that my aunts are what sisters should be. Yes, they’ve had their differences but when it came to Laura. Lynne and Lisa were the ultimate team. They fought and fought to keep her happy and comfortable. My brothers and I can only thank you. Thank you for the very bottoms of our heart. For being, our aunts, our friends and for loving our mother so deeply. Their sister: Their friend.

The Parella’s ladies and gentlemen. My family. My heroes.