In honor of my sister, Bettina

My little sister died at about 5 pm CST from stage IV cervical cancer. The cancer also spread to her lungs and spine. She recently fractured her back and that really speeded up the decline in her health. She came back home from New York and was in a nearby hospice. It all happened very quickly once she was in the hospice.

Tina was only 36 years old. She was eight years younger than I am. I took care of her a lot when she was little. We did not become more like peers until we were adults. She was an editor for a trade magazine. She loved to read, to cook, was a Winnie-the-Pooh and Tigger fanatic, Trekkie, and loved anything chocolate. She always had long hair while I had short. I wore contacts while she wore glasses. Yes, we were pretty opposite in many ways. Tina always supported me doing art. She spoiled my kids rotten.

I just read a book for her since she could not read one herself in quite awhile. My dh and the kids got me the book, Sunday at Tiffany's, for Mom's Day. I just sat and read it. She would have liked it. She was a sucker for love stories.

Bye Tina. I'm glad it doesn't hurt anymore. No need to be scared. We miss you, too.