Many many happy memories of my big sister, Chrissy. (I was the only one she allowed to call her that). Chrissy was my protector (from my brothers) my teacher and my friend. She loaned me her huge Schwinn bike when I could barely ride. She let me hang out with her and her friends, and later, she even let me hang out with her and her boyfriends (she had a few).
As a teenager she worked at Woolworths at the diner counter. I'd ride my bike to visit her there when she was working. Chrissy would treat me to a malt or sundae. She never revealed to me that she had to pay for those treats out of her own pocket. I thought she got free food. But that was the nature of her love and generosity.
When she got married we still stayed close. When I could drive, I'd come and visit her. I became the primary babysitter of her adorable children. I was Uncle "Bobert". She lived for those kids and it was easy to love them too. In our later years, our discussions were about our children and grandchildren. Chrissy just lit up when she talked about her kids.
Chrissy and I continued to support each other through some of the biggest challenges in our lives. We knew we could count on each other and we never had to face anything alone.
I will keep these wonderful memories with me and relive them often. That way, she will always be with me.
