Just for starters, I don' t think a cross word or mean thought ever passed between us in the nearly 83 years we were sister and brother. After that starter comes a flood of wonderful memories of happy and a few challenging times together. We shared the best childhood imaginable, with somewhat strict but loving parents who did everything for us they could to make sure we had what we needed to grow up happily as well as to lead contributory lives. I am sure most kids grow up thinking their parents ascribe to some ancient paradigm that has very little to do with what is going on at this time in the world and I am sure we had many thoughts along that line, but somehow we all survived due mainly to the conviction that we all were doing our best and loved each other dearly.
The very best times in our youth were spent at our summer beach house in Newport Beach, with sailing , surfing, and playing with a great group of kids from all over Southern California. Linda was a champion sailor, and always seemed so serene and peaceful out on the water, even when involved in tense racing situations. She and several of the other kids formed a band that played at the Sunday night buffet dinners at the Yacht Club, always a big hit. With her long flowing blond hair, I always felt she was the most beautiful girl I ever saw. I never changed my mind about that. Perhaps the most wonderful aspect of being her younger brother was that she always included me in everything in her Iife so graciously whether I was just a little kid that she read bedtime stories to, on up through college and medical school, and through marriage and child rearing, hers and mine.
I would be very sad about her departure if I did not have the complete assurance that she has traded in a worn out body and gone to a better place. We have been in communication and I can assure all of you who read this that she is in a very good place, at peace, and visiting with those who preceded her across the veil as some refer to it. I miss her greatly but will catch up to her soon enough. Bon voyage, my dearest sister!