Pat was enough older than me so that she was able to act as a surrogate mom. She taught me how to play many games...she taught me how to drive a car...she often made a snack for us and we would go up on a shed in back of our house looking out over the countryside and eat and talk.

Some of the happiest and best memories of my childhood have to do with her doing things for me or...sometimes...of her running interference for me when I would misbehave.

I only hope she knew how much I appreciated her being there as my sister when I was a child and also when I was grown. She was always "on my side" and whenever you experience the comfort that comes from having someone perpetually in your corner...losing them is a grim and sad and difficult thing.

I miss her now and I fully expect to miss her for the rest of my days.