More Memories of Sharon: Typing Class, a Bad Hair Day, and Almost Like Sisters

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"A Rose for Sharon," my recent post about preserving my sister Sharon's memory, sparked some lovely, fun, and poignant reminiscences from family and friends. With their permission, I'm sharing them here. 

My Aunt Sharon surprised me with this fact: "I remember when we took a typing class together at night school. I could never keep up with her. God love her. "

I had never heard this before! My sister attended Bowling Green State University for a time, and my aunt said they took the class together after Sharon left BGSU and moved home. Eventually, Sharon attended Bryant & Stratton and was about to graduate. Her diploma was awarded posthumously.

"Sharon was such a sweet and lovely young lady who had a great smile and gorgeous hair," recalls my Aunt Marian. "I remember how excited she was going to Bowling Green when your mom drove her there and I went along. She was ready to go to college and get on with her life. A beautiful life cut way too soon."

My cousin Becky had this memory, "I don't remember if it was for your bridal shower or baby shower (in your mom's basement), but I came and was having a bad hair day, and as a teenager, those will ruin your entire week. Sharon took me up to her room and curled my hair for me and gave me step-by-step instructions on how to do it myself. She was so kind and so understanding. I always remember that when I'm doing my hair."

Sharon was also a music lover, and Becky also recalled, "Sharon and Tim [our brother] were my “Here’s cool new music for you to listen to” cousins. "

Our aunts, uncles, and cousins all lived in the eastern suburbs of Cleveland, and for many summers we would gather for a family picnic at someone's house. One summer when Sharon was a teenager, she injured her knee during a rousing softball game and later needed knee surgery. Another of our cousins, Vicky, recalled, "I remember when she had her knee surgery, and riding my bike from our house in Wickliffe to your house to spend time with her. Being that we were only months apart in age, she was like the sister I never had and always wanted. I miss her and often wonder what type of relationship we would have today."

Even Miss Gauvin, the English teacher we all had at Eastlake North High School, commented, "Of the thousands of students I've encountered, only certain ones stand out and remain in my memory. Sharon is one of them." Lorraine has kindly put flowers on Sharon's grave over the years and always sends me a photograph when she does. She shared one year that her mother and Sharon shared a birthday, so she is often at the cemetery on that occasion.

Lorraine Gauvin placed roses on Sharon's grave in 2022. Her mother and Sharon shared a birthday, August 19th.

 

Our brother Joe shared this, "So many memories coming back about her growing up. She had a great sense of humor, the best laugh, family oriented, caring. The thing I miss the most are the times we didn't get to have together. So much about her and her life that deserves remembering." 

Sometimes our grief feels like it is experienced in a vacuum, deep inside us, tiny and isolating. But the words everyone shared about my sister show that is not true. Sharon's life touched each of us in different ways. And as we each connected with her, we are all connected to one another. Even the smallest memory helps keep her alive in us. As memories are shared with me, I'll share them here, for Sharon.

Until next time...