Happy Birthday Sister!

My Mickey - I couldn't pronounce Camille so it came out Ca-Mickey - the nickname Mickey stuck and that is how some of our relatives still refer to her. Sisters
BFF
A colleague’s 39 year old son died of cancer a little over a week ago and his death so close to my sister’s birthday has left me feeling pretty sad.

My sister Camille passed away three years ago this July 1st and today is her birthday – she would be 64. From May 25th until June 5th we were the same age which was especially fun when we were kids because it always puzzled our friends who knew we weren’t twins - so how come we were the same age? Mother said that she was told you couldn’t get pregnant as long as you were nursing – surprise!

My sister was one of the most determined people I’ve ever known – if she wanted to learn, do or be something, nothing could stop her. The only thing she couldn’t overcome was MS but she put up one heck of a fight. She had the worst type of MS – one that progressively worsened over the years. She faithfully used a machine that exercised her legs to keep them as healthy as possible in case a cure was found. She wanted to be able to walk again.

Right up until the end her long-term memory was excellent but not her short-term memory. I remember recalling with her some of the funny things we did as kids and some of the mischief we got into. Almost completely paralyzed and sitting in her wheelchair her eyes danced with laughter as she said, “I was such a little stinker, wasn’t I?” She wasn’t but she was almost always in constant motion when younger as if to somehow make up for all the days she’d be in a wheelchair.

She was very religious and prayed for healing but never lost her faith when it didn’t happen. The most important things to her were her faith and loving family. Her husband was her primary caregiver and because of him she was able to stay at home until she passed away. And her children and grandchildren gave her so much happiness. It’s a joy to see how much her oldest granddaughter resembles her – the circle of life.

I always thought we’d grow old together and be two old ladies sharing memories. Selfishly I feel cheated but MS cheated her and her family too. In my head I know she’s better off and no longer suffering but in my heart I just plain miss her. Happy birthday sister!

Sisters

Sandra and Camille, Florida 1945

Sandra, Camille and Friend

Camille and Sandra BFF

I was eleven months old when my only sister was born. Mother thought you couldn't get pregnant as long as you were nursing - surprise! They named her Camille - such a beautiful name but I couldn't pronounce it and called her, "My Ca-mickey." Soon her nickname was Mickey. Our Minnesota relatives still refer to her as Mickey.

We were almost always dressed alike but in different colors - she was a lightly-freckled redhead and I was blond. She said she thought she was adopted until we were teenagers and she saw a picture of our maternal grandmother's sister who was almost her double.

I always thought we would grow old together. Didn't happen. She now has her angel wings. I will always miss her but even more I regret that I didn't see her as often as I should have while she was alive. There were so many reasons why I didn't: raising DD's two boys gave us very little free time, she lived far away, because of her MS she had difficulty talking and making herself understood and didn't always remember our visits anyway. Excuses. None of them good enough. After our mother passed away, I could enjoy all the good memories because there were no regrets - absolutely none. With my sister I still have regrets and so my memories are bittersweet.

Camille left behind a husband, two beautiful daughters, grandchildren, and a hole in our hearts.