Although Paula was 11 months older than me, I always viewed her as my little sister.

As toddlers, we were seemingly joined at the hip…. the funny thing being me always doing the leading, although I was the youngest. I can recall many good times being with her in my life, and it’s those times that I will hold dear to my heart concerning her. Sure, she had problems…but so do everyone at some level…. it’s just that some folks have a much heavier burden to deal with in life than others do, and her load was a very, very heavy one.

Yes, there were times I would get upset with her about something, and would give her some tough-love, but make no mistake about it; it was because I loved her so very much. At those times, I would hear through the grapevine that she had said “he thinks he’s my daddy or something”. I guess I was coming off as a father figure sometimes.  Again, only because I loved my little sister and wanted her to have a happy life.

I thank God that He gave me an opportunity to be with her not so long ago…in which I greeted her with a hug and a kiss to her forehead, and we spent time talking, joking, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company.

There are several things that stands out for me when it comes to my baby sister. First, are those long, black pigtails she had as a child. It was my responsibility to comb/braid her hair before we went to school and she was 'TENDERHEADED' Aaagghh!! I use to bop her in the head with the hair brush because we were late more days then not because of her hair.  Secondly, she loved to suck on her thumb and every time I saw her with it, I would pull it out of her mouth and she would cry, which leads me to another quirk I remember about her. She would cry at the drop of a pin, but the moment I told her I didn't care about her crying, she would stop immediately and continue with our conversation in a normal fashion. What a great actress she would have been (smile).  Through everything, though, she will always be my 'baby sister' and I will always love and miss her. Thanksgiving dinner will never be the same again. I could always count on her being at the table!  Her favorite saying to my grandson was, "Call the Poo-Poo-Ho"....
Love you Paula....(tears, tears and more tears)

Paula always introduce me  "this is my big sister" and i would have to remind her I  had a name...smile.  She loved to hear what my grandaughter Diamond was doing and if she was still dancing.  Some things Diamond talk to Paula about Paula would laugh so hard.  I'm going miss talking to my sister.  Every week she would say i have to get me some pork chops.  We always got a kick out of our brother Mike she would call for a hair cut and me to fix my computer, he told us don't call for hair cuts/computer.  We just laugh and say "WE LOVE HIM".  Mike has been the big brother and more for me and her...love you Mike.... (THANK YOU LESSIE FOR  BEING MY SIS..I LOVE YOU AND PAULA LOVED YOU ALSO) WHEN HER BIRTHDAY COMES AROUND SHE WILL CALL AND LET EVERYONE KNOW!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIS I LOVE YOU AND I WILL MISS YOU!  YOU ARE RESTING NOW, YOU HAVE NO MORE WORRIES.   GOD LOVE YOU! GOD BLESS!