I have been thinking more of Carole in the past weeks, particularly our early childhood .  For the first 5 years of her life I was her only sibling, just one year 9 months younger. Naturally we were quite close.  Mum used to say: "Look after Linda "whenever went anywhere by ourselves and she certainly took that to heart. I always knew she would look after me and found a lot of comfort in knowing that no harm would come to us. I looked up to her in many ways.

We naturally had our fractious moments of course. Anyone who has shared a bed with a sibling will know there are always battles for sheets and bed space. On one occasion we had a tug of war with the sheets and ripped them!. That soon sobered us up and we tried to hide the evidence. Of course it was discovered the next wash day.  One great game I  remember: the lino in our bedroom was blue with peg rugs scattered about so we imagined the lino being the sea and the rugs islands. So we went island hopping trying to push each other into the "sea". Great fun and shrieks of laughter.

As we grew up I was really proud of my big sister who was clever enough to win a scholarship to a good grammar school and I couldn't stop myself boasting a little to my friends about her achievements.  She deserved to be a success because she worked so hard.  While at university she sometimes invited me for the weekend and I was quite surprised when I got roped in to doing meals on wheels early Saturday morning.  That was Carole, always thinking of others.

When she met Geoff she excitedly wrote me about it. I remember one line which said "I couldn't believe that this tall good looking guy was actually interested in ME"  of course I assured her it was entirely possible.  

In later years I knew I could always go to her with any problem and she would listen, understand and be non judgemental.

Often she and Geoff would invite me and the boys to visit and couldn't do enough for us. She was hospitable to everyone. I know they have happy memories of her too. 

I really valued her and wish I had told her more often how much I  loved and appreciated her.  

These are my memories of Carole and I know we will have a great time remembering together one day.

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