It took me almost two months to come up with a song that would even come close to my feelings when I lost another sister.
She was our special sister; the oldest one of four; the strongest one, too. She was deaf and never able to hear a beautiful guitar or a voice that reaches into the deepest recess of the soul.
Nevertheless, she was able to see the joy and infatuation music can bring, watching us, her sisters. She used to call us crazy when we danced and sang along to our favorite songs ... We made her laugh.
She would put her hand on the radio to feel the vibrations -- and she felt them. So, I guess that is what could be called the true sound of silence.
She left us on April 9th, 2017. And yes there were all the signs of springtime around when she died: birds sang. But the sun was fighting with the winter cold that was still winning the battle.
When I stood at her grave site, it was snowing. The cream colored flowers were frozen. But nothing felt as icy as the stinging pain inside of me.
So, here are the candles for my special sister, Ute.
August 28, 1943 - April 9, 2017