I remember like it was yesterday. At the time I was living in a one bedroom apartment in Martinez. That day I called her to see if she wanted to come over that night, have a sleepover and watch 50 First Dates as I rented it from Hollywood Video the other day. She said “I’m going to the No Doubt concert remember?” “oh that’s right” I replied. “Next time” I said. She said “yeah next time”. We said our goodbyes and we both said I love you. And that was it.
I was cooking hamburger helper (the weird taco one) when I received a call from her best friend, Jen Del. Jen Del told me that she had passed out and they were on the way to the hospital. I started tearing up immediately…panicking and worried. We decided to head to the hospital and visit that evening to make sure she was alright. We had a 2 hour drive ahead of us.
We barely made it on to the freeway when I thought to myself “maybe she needs her insurance card?!?”. I called Jen Del back asking if we needed to bring it. She replied “don’t bother…she’s gone”.
Blank stare. Disbelief. Hysteria. I didn’t know what to feel…I didnt want to believe her but I knew from the tone of her voice, it was true. My sister, Carolyn Wabe Carig, had passed away that night. She was 23 years old.
Every year, on this day, I am reminded of the heartache that I felt that night and the heartache I continue to feel knowing that she is not apart of the future that we spoke about…the future where I was married with kids and she would come over to babysit them. Or that our kids would be BFF’s and we’d be old and senile still doing the crazy things we used to do when we were young. That future is null and void. She is not here to share it with me.
She was so young. Had never had a boyfriend…didnt have her drivers license…took the bus or hitched rides to places she needed to go. Loved kids…absolutely loved them and would’ve one day become one of those moms where you sit back and wonder “how the hell do they do it?!?”. She was one of them. Loved to cook…loved music (listening and playing). Had the most amazing sense of humor and had the deepest appreciation for life and the little things that most people take forgranted…she did not.
She touched hearts with her kind soul and her infectious smile was always followed with her heartfelt laugh.
She is the most beautiful person I know and I feel ever so privileged to call her my sister. I’ll remember her forever.
I do not have a sister but I do have a brother with a rare, terminal blood disorder. I try not to think about life on earth without him and can’t most days but someday, I will have to deal with it. I am sorry for you and so sorry that this day is so bad in your heart. </3 Sending virtual hugs your way.
Thank you so much.
Carolyn was my best friend in jr. high and freshman year of high school.. we spent our whole day together and hung out everyday at lunch. I have spent all my social media time looking for her and had no idea unti recently that she had passed. She was the sweetest person and she kept a smile on my face daily. I am glad that I have pictures of her and notesthat she wrote me. I miss her a great deal and I am truly sorry and sad for your loss. I hope with time things get easier and know that she is still with you always….