I tried calling my sister's phone, hoping I might hear her voice on the voicemail one more time. But I think her phone contract has now been disconnected, so I may never have that opportunity again. This morning I even sent her a WhatsApp message and a voice message, knowing she wouldn't receive them. Somehow it still felt like I needed to. Moments like these make me look forward to the resurrection even more. The hope of seeing her again means everything to me.

Single Does Not Mean Easy There are some men who think that just because a woman is a single parent or has children to different fathers, she must be "easy." Nothing could be further from the truth. Some women move from one relationship to another because they are searching for someone who will genuinely love, respect, and cherish them for life. Often, the abuse, rejection, or neglect they have experienced leaves them longing for the security and love they never truly found. Sadly, many never meet the person they hoped for. Sometimes the fathers simply refuse to take responsibility. They think they're man enough to make a baby, but when they discover a woman is pregnant, they disappear like cowards. Other times, a woman chooses to leave because she has endured enough abuse, manipulation, or disrespect. She refuses to let her children grow up believing that such treatment is normal. She walks away because she knows that she—and her children—deserve better. Over the years, I've also seen another disturbing attitude. Some people don't just judge the mother—they judge her children too. They assume those children are somehow less worthy of respect or easier to prey upon. That mindset is disgusting. I didn't find out until years later that one of my father's own friends tried to make sexual advances toward my teenage daughter. Thankfully, someone recognized what was happening, stepped in immediately, told him to get out of the house, and protected her before anything worse could happen. We never saw him again. No woman or child should ever be viewed as vulnerable prey because of their family circumstances. You have no idea what they have endured, the sacrifices they have made, or the pain they have carried. To exploit someone's vulnerability instead of protecting them reveals a serious lack of character. God sees how we treat others, especially those who are vulnerable. He is not blind to injustice or exploitation. If you have ever looked at a woman or her children in this way, I sincerely hope you change your heart and your actions. One day, we will all answer to God for how we treated others. It is far better to repent and choose what is right now than to face His judgment without having changed.

Last night I had a big cry while holding onto my sister’s photo, saying, “You weren’t meant to leave me.” Even though life continues and the world keeps moving, losing her has left such a huge hole in my life. I miss being able to visit her. I miss knowing she was there. I don’t even know if I could go back to that house now because she’s not there anymore, and that reality feels so painful. Sometimes I wake up and instinctively look to my left, just as I would when I was at the hospice checking to see if she was okay. Those moments remind me how much a part of my daily life she had become. Maybe, in time, I’ll visit again and spend time with those who are still staying there, but I know it will be different. The place will never feel the same without her. I’ve found that losing my sister has hurt me in a different way, and in some ways even more deeply, than losing my parents. I don’t say that to diminish the love I had for them; it’s just that my sister deserved more from life. She deserved more time, more experiences, more opportunities, and so much more than what she was given. She was precious to me, and the emptiness she left behind shows just how much she meant.

I saw this in a shop recently and, as a painter and decorator, I found it very funny. What do you think?