MEMORIES FROM BROTHER DICK
I would like to share a few fond memories I was lucky enough to share with my sister, Carole.
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When we were kids I remember how excited we were at Christmas time. In fact, this was CaroleÂ’s favorite time.
Upstairs, after not sleeping a wink all night, all of us kids would be holed up awaiting the magical event. Our ears would be cocked and ready for Mom and DadÂ’s words, “Okay, come on down!Ââ€
A mad scramble would commence to see who could get down first! We sounded like SantaÂ’s reindeer prancing down the stairs.
Christmas was a joyous family time. Carole was always so excited, and her love of the Christmas holiday stayed with her always.
When Carole grew up she started her own Christmas traditions. She would decorate, and bake, and drew family around her at her home on Christmas Eve. Those were such fond memories.
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In the summer time the entire clan (Mom, Dad and eventually nine kids kids) would go camping.
Of course we each had to take a friend or two along as well so you can imagine the troop that alighted on a campground. I wonder what other campers thought when kids, and more kids, and more kids kept appearing?
Our many family outings took us to Bumping River, Millersylvania Park, and Belfair State Park to name a few. Wonderful childhood memories grew from these family times together.
We would sit around the campfire making sÂ’mores in the evenings, telling stories and laughing. And one laugh stood out from the rest. It was CaroleÂ’s unique little giggle of delight.
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Carole and I had a ongoing competition of “TOP THIS!Ââ€. We would play tricks on each other...maybe some of the tricks would be better called “PAY BACK TIME!Ââ€
I would go to get a specific shirt out, only to find that Carole had absconded with it. AGAIN!!!! This always irritated me to no end.
So, I just had to do a "PAY BACK!!!"
On one occasion I snuck up on her while she was sleeping (lucky for me she was a very sound sleeper).
Anyway, to save her time getting ready for school the next morning, I proceeded to apply her makeup to her. I graced her with huge red lips.
I guess I was not much of a makeup artist since when she caught her reflection in the mirror she started crying. After much scrubbing the lips would not go away; so more tears as she announced "I am not going to school with these GREAT BIG RED LIPS!!!" (Not so lucky for me, Dad had to teach me a lesson on that prank!!!!!)
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When we were in high school I would drive us to school in my ‘54 Chevy. The car would cooperate in the morning to get us there, however, when it was time to come home we had to coax the Chevy to start.
Thus a daily ritual began - a group effort was in order. Friends and I would push the Chevy down the street with Carole giggling behind the wheel. She would steer, put ‘er in gear and get her started up. Carole would move over while I jumped in with the rest of the passengers and a way we would go .....laughing all the way.
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Time I shared with my family, and especially with my sister Carole, gave me so many treasured memories- gifts I will keep forever.
Carole was a great sister and she will always be in my heart.
Until we meet again Sis, I love you and will miss you terribly.##imported-begin##Brother Dick##imported-end##
