Carol and I called ourselves the Bobsey twins because we were born only a few weeks apart. We also learned a lot of things together, mostly through fun and daring. She was my cool cousin from the big city- with the hippie friends, and I was her country bumpkin cousin, providing a safe place to take on adventures, & meet boys. We shared an innocent childhood, with room to grow, and a huge family to watch out for us.

I liked being with Carol so much, that I convinced her to do a couple of jobs with me. We were counselors at 10 day wilderness camps when we were working for the Native Friendship Center. When we got back to the city smelling like a campfire, we thought it was so hilarious - the looks we got, riding the bus home.

Some summer days Carol would come out to Beiseker and help me on the playground. She loved children and we had a lot of laughs there, playing, singing,& getting paid!

The last job we did together was working with autistic kids at Margaret's house. It was a place where you had to find things to laugh at, or you would burn out quickly. We kept each other giggling.

Carol was always my biggest fan, accepting me as I was- never judging any goofy thing I did. As soon as I brought out my guitar she was beside me singing, till our throats hurt, or the neighbours complained.

We started a tradition of drinking margaritas with our sisters and friends. She had to miss this year because she was getting ready for her new place. But she was happy the rest of us were carrying on the tradition -Altruistic soul that she was...

How in the world did she keep up that positive outlook and persistence to keep trying to feel better? I think that charming grandson Alex had a lot to do with it, and his mom Christina. No greater love is known.

We are all so blessed to have her watching over us now.