I was easily startled even as a kid. Christmas morning normal kids wake up to go wake up mom and dad right? Oh not me...I would sleep and sleep. So Erin proceeded to bring every pot and pan she could find one Christmas morning into my bedroom. She then woke my lazy self up by banging them together and crashed as many as she could into each other. This was well before pranks on youtube...she was the original star!

My mother and I were reminiscing the other day. I decided to take a shower and forgot my clothes in my room. Well, Erin waited outside the door for me to scare the crap out of me. Mission accomplished when I flung that door open and there was the scream costume dude standing in front of me! I lost it! Poor girl scared me so bad I got so angry and she fell down the stairs! 

So of course there are awkward stories that are hilarious between siblings. But I remember when Erin was about 4 years old we were running up and down the hallway. I decided to put her on my shoulders and run. Well that obviously jiggled her a bit...and I felt a huge sudden warmth on my neck. She most assuredly peed all over me that day. 

I said goodbye yesterday to a special girl….Bonz placed herself in my life about 10 or so years ago.  Literally.  I didn’t “meet” her, she “told” me she was going to hang out with me at the horse shows. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was waiting for horsemanship at a Midland, MI show, when a skinny, black haired, sticky kid on a sorrel horse sidled up to me and Buzz.  She said, “I seen you talking to Judy. So, I figured I’m gonna talk to you now, too.” That was it.  From that point forward, every show we were at together, Bonz would find me.  My last name was Groenke at the time, so she nicknamed me Cranky.  When I divorced and went back to my maiden name, she decided my new name was Crabs (after Mr. Crabs from Sponge Bob).  She named my sister Suzie, Squidward.  Bonz would always be eating Doritos and drinking pop about 7 in the morning and then come by me in my white showmanship outfit and try to touch me.  She was forever telling me my horse was dirty.  She’d lope next to me during warm up and tell me Buzz was troping.  She would stand next to me before my showmanship pattern and say, “Judy told me to come watch you…like you’re going to do the pattern right or something (eye roll).”  Bonz always acted like she didn’t care and was going into the ring unprepared….then she’d knockout an awesome pattern.  I’d tell her congratulations and she’d say, “Whatever.”  She was sarcastic, obnoxious… she was perfect!  I looked forward to seeing her. I loved her.

I only got to see/talk to her these last few years through FaceBook and an occasional text. She grew into a beautiful, caring, smart and witty woman.  I am thankful for all the memories she left me and I pray for all the broken hearts she left behind.  Bonz – you were one of a kind.  I’ll always think of you when I’m washing my horse or eating Doritos. Here’s to you….Fly High Bonz.