When I first decided to create a site for Baljit. I became very excited. I was excited to get her story out there so others could see the tragedy behind it and remember this special person. When it came time for me to begin MY part of this, I choked. I mean, it's very difficult for me to talk about my sister, and it is even more difficult to talk about her in a past tense. Seeing this site in it's entirety, is a reminder for me. Losing my sister was like losing a part of myself. You see, Baljit was so much more to me than a sister, she was a friend to look up to. She had her share of bad luck, but always tried to make the most out it.

When I decided to move across the country to Quebec, she was the one who called ever so often to make sure things were good and threw me a final good-bye party with all my mcdonald friends. I have every birthday card from her in the last 8 years because she never forgot them. It tore me up this year when my birthday rolled around and I didn’t see that card with the return name Baljit Chahal.

Baljit and I have more in common than I ever thought until she left us that one tragic day. She had a passion for writing poetry and also was very good with children. Baljit gave me my first onion sandwich and boy did I ever fall in love with those. The onion sandwiches turned into pork chops as she taught me more about cooking. Even with a broken leg, she was always there for her siblings. One night while babysitting us the faucet flew off and as water splashed everywhere she tried to shut it off and get help even though she had a cast on.

April 22 will always be etched in my brain. I remember the phone call that she was missing and nowhere to be found. That day my head just filled with my thoughts of where she could be and what happened. I cannot tell you how much pain and sadness there was that day and the days that followed. The visitations, and the funeral, seemed to fly by. Before I knew it, it was over. We were left with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Baljit's birthday. My father and I walked along the riverside on May 14 where Baljit’s body was found with no words, but the beating of our hearts wondering why it could be so that she is gone? Baljit’s family came together to celebrate my other sister’s wedding. We had big plans for that week, but that whole week I thought of the sister that wasn’t there. We all had a good time because in our hearts we know that is what Baljit wanted. She wanted the best for her family and friends and she would have been really pleased to know that we could still do that despite the tragedy.

I miss my sister every second of every day. I have had a difficult time with my loss, as well as dealing with the loss that my siblings, and my parents feel. I am trying to move on, and I think this website will help. I hope others will enjoy it, and come to understand how much she was, and still is, loved.

Today being a year since her death, it would be appropriate for all of us to take a minute out of our busy schedules to cherish and remember the memories of Baljit Kaur Chahal and to sign the guest book in her honour. Also any pictures, poems, comments…etc…. you would like to add to the website would be appreciate please send them to me and I will make sure they get posted on.