Stolen Future

A sister reflects on the life her brother should have lived but never got to:

Dear Peter,

The memories of you are precious, but they are not enough. They do not make up for the time stolen. They do not make up for what should have been, what could have been.

My hilarious big brother, your life ended at 39 years old by the selfish, reckless actions of a speeding, hit-and run driver. He made you a memory, and he stole the memories we would have made.

I wonder what you would be like now, aged 50. Probably still one of the lads, living life to the full. Definitely still a protective and caring brother. Likely achieving more in your career. Maybe you’d have become a father. I wish I could have been an auntie – that will never happen now. I wonder what you would be like, but I cannot know – we will never know, because your potential was wiped out by a driver.

I have never stopped missing you. How could I ever stop missing someone who meant so much to my life? It’s not like because you are not here, I stop being your sister – I wish people would understand that.

Lucy x