Heavenly Sister

Heavenly Sister

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one, who believes in me, even if he dies, will live." 

(John 11:25-26. HCSB)

Tina Diane Helms

I pause. I reflect. I take a deep breath.  My little sister, Tina Diane Helms was received into Heaven.


She had long blond hair and a petite body frame. She wore a band of freckles across the bridge of her nose that complimented her green eyes. Her grin captured many hearts. Her sense of humor keen while wisdom far surpassed her youthful age of twelve. I shall never get over the courage I witnessed her exhibit as she braved each intrusive needle, battled the harsh side effects from the chemo and from the day she was diagnosed, she took cancer on with a dauntless approach. Her gutsy attitude didn't match her tiny frame, yet it never surprised me as she remained grounded with hope and never once shied away from any pain she faced during the trying months of treatments. Her bold character would radiate when she stood up for her friends, her family, and her convictions. Her heart, compassionate and tender had a way of protecting and loving anyone she met. She had no difficulty putting up a fight, even through her battle with Leukemia.

Her strength came from the Lord. I can't imagine her unexpected fears, yet she seemed comforted with certainty as the blond strands of hair began to fall loosely away or when her body violently rejected medications often leaving exhausting efforts to rid of them. He was there when her energetic zest for life began to diminish and she searched for rest and consolation. There were times when it was obvious she was wearing, yet she still held onto her sense of humor, remaining calm, lighthearted in spite of the physical fatigue. Jesus carried her through these unimaginable times.

Even though the years go by without her being in my daily life, I still feel her presence. She lives through me and I can also see her attributes in my two daughters, Shannon and Rachel. Her smile, compassion, quick wit and mischievous nature, has been passed on to Shannon as her boldness, strong will, yet tenderness I see in Rachel. As my two daughters mature and grow I see more evidence of Tina's personality in them.



On this day my sister went to Heaven. And while it's been years since I have seen her physical being, green eyes and grin, her presence forever, stays with me. Her days spent on earth are nothing compared to her eternal life. Her earthly life has been just the beginning. Ascending to heaven began her birth of infinite existence. I miss her still and I always will while at the same time, God has blessed me abundantly on earth with family. Not only do I see Tina in each of my daughters, He has blessed me with endearing friends that I call extended family. A profound presence of God shines deeply through each heart, reminding me that we don’t need the same DNA to be sisters. I often reflect on a statement that one of my Sisters in Christ once shared with me. She told me that once we get to Heaven, we would all be reunited as one family, not as separate families as we have been on earth. My friend spoke of ‘Sparkling Fireflies.’ commonly known as lightning bugs, buzzing around our Lord shining brightly. Tina is there, her soul freely buzzing, reflecting vibrantly as her eternal heart light will shine forever. As many of us have lost someone near to us, we can be reassured their every beacon, every eternal soul radiates brightly.