Coda
By Jillian

I slowly stood up and started toward the podium, my feet feeling as if they were encased in concrete. Once finally there I surveyed the faces of those gathered and saw the same tears in their eyes that I was losing my battle against at that moment. Turning my attention to my right I saw the arrayed flowers surrounding the urn and photo, which caused me to nearly fall apart as the tears readily rolled down my cheeks.

It took a few moments, but eventually I regained enough control over my emotions to start, “I wish I could tell you my sister had led a full and happy life. I wish I could say that,” I paused to once again get my emotions under control.