Dear Carol, I miss you.

I can't believe I'm writing this post. I just wrote a tribute to my beloved departed brother. I was ready to put my avenger cape back on to save the world and rid our children of toxins. Then, you just couldn't fight the brave battle you had fought for the last 1 1/2 years any more. Who could blame you. My hero, forever. I am grateful you no longer have the pain.

I remember the night we became friends. I knew you before; you had married a childhood friend of Ron's and mine. Then we moved to a house close to you and invited your family over for an evening. That's when our daughter, Steffie, age 5, and your daughter, Lynie, age 3, met and became BFF to this day. Something else happen. We talked. And talked. And talked. We never stopped.

That night started a special friendship I will cherish to my dying day. The memories, oh the memories. We were young new mothers trying to find our way. We stumbled, we achieved, we did it together. I'm remembering the long conversations we had, sharing our hopes, dreams and insecurities. We wanted the best for our little girls. Somehow, they survived us, and became better than us; which was our goal.

I think what I remembered the most was the comfort we had with each other. When we two families were together, comfort. We all enjoyed each other company.

Our children grew. You and Terry added two sons. What blessings!!!! Steffie and Lynie became Stef and Lyn. We sent them to the University of Iowa (two years apart), we watch them get married with each of them being the maid of honor (of course) and then the icing: grandchildren.

You loved my Stef as much as I loved your Lyn.

I'm not saying goodbye. You will be with me forever; and I know I will be happy again; some day soon; because you want me to be. Love you.

So, I'm now going back to saving the world.