BIG SISTERS

Memories, they tell me can be both good and bad. There are those memories that make you feel really guilty and depressed. Then there are those memories that make you smile and laugh.

When my mother died, back in 1964, I was left with my Dad and my 5 year old sister - a real bossy sister. Well, so it seemed at the time. Whatever game I wanted to play, she would either say `no' and want it her way, or she would have to be `in charge'. But I admired my sister. She was beautiful, she had lots of friends and she was just so clever.

I remember sitting in Church. Everyone would come up and say how wonderful Mary looked today, sitting so nice and quietly. Me, I couldn't sit still if I tried. At school I was always, `Mary's sister'. The teachers would say, "I wish you were as smart as your sister." I tried, but my brain just didn't work as well as hers.

But what I remember most is my big sister, on my first day of school, holding my hand, making sure I didn't fall over, as I had a habit of doing. I remember her sitting by my bed after I had lost my second baby, holding my hand. I remember her smile, as I went up on the stage to receive my Bachelor of Education.

We didn't like the same music or T.V shows, we could probably only last a couple of weeks staying with one another - but we loved going shopping together.

My sister was beautiful, smart and had lots of friends - she was different to me - and sometimes I thought I could never be as good as her. But it didn't matter, we were still SISTERS.


BIG SISTERS


There were times when I was a little girl
And I needed a friend who would play.
I nearly always had my BIG SISTER,
She hardly ever said, `go away'.

There were days when I would struggle
With homework I just couldn't do.
My BIG SISTER would always be there,
And would say, "Can I help you?"

There were days when I'd be unhappy
The kids had teased me at school.
That's when my BIG SISTER would say,
"Don't worry Sis, you're cool!"

I was always falling over and banging my knee.
And she'd always be my `nurse'.
My BIG SISTER would wipe the blood away,
And say, `Now that doesn't hurt."

I always has lots of jobs to do,
But I'd always make a real mess.
My BIG SISTER would always help me out,
So Dad wouldn't yell and get stressed.

My BIG SISTER never gave me a hug
She said that wasn't her thing.
I never heard her say, `I Love You',
But her other words had love to bring.


Today my big sister and I live apart
We are busy with our own lives.
But I always know at the end of the phone,
She'll be there if I get into strife.

There will always be words of encouragement,
Words of guidance and love.
She will always be there to give me a push,
To say those words `never give up'.

There is no one like my BIG SISTER.
My BIG SISTER is easy to find.
She's my teacher, my nurse and my friend,
MY BIG SISTER is ONE OF A KIND.

* This is dedicated to my sister Mary, who passed away on December 25, 2006, from breast/bone cancer. I read this at her funeral