August 4, 2010. My sister, Emily, was born to my dad and step-mother. Immediately, she was taken to the hospital and was on life-support. She was switched around from hospital to hospital until she ended up in the best hospital she could be in.

August 13, 2010. We were told she wouldn't make it and given the decision to take her off life support. My parents chose to do it that night. I said my goodbyes to my sister and cried for the first time since the day she was born. I chose not to stay. I couldn't watch my sister die, so my mother picked me up from the hospital. On my way home, I felt something hit my arm and when I looked down I saw it was a ladybug. That night, my sister was taken off life-support.

August 14, 2010. Emily Elaine Bertrand died early in the morning, surrounded by her loving family.

Ever since that ladybug struck my arm on the way home from the hospital, I have associated ladybugs with my sister. Every year around the same time, a single ladybug will appear on my windowsill no matter where I am. If I am in my car, there will be a ladybug. If I'm in the house, there's a ladybug. No matter where I am, there is always a ladybug. This poem is a dedication to my beloved baby sister and her beautiful ladybug spirit.

Ladybug (Dedication to Sister)

Sweet little lady bug

on my window sill,

So glossy are the wings

upon your back,

Red as freshly bloomed roses,

Spotted with your own freckles.

Here you watch me just as

your sisters before you,

Simply sitting at my window,

Never crossing the threshold.

You have become a friend,

A silent companion,

Barely visible in the big world.

You know all my secrets,

All of my reasons to lie,

To smile and say “I’m fine,”

Though the answers I seek

are hardly ever satisfied,

I am still thankful for your company,

But as always it is a short lived visit.

Another will be here tomorrow,

To sit and watch,

And offer yourself as company.

Sweet little lady bug

on my window sill.