Betty found the love of her life, Sean,  in high school.  When you tell your kids high school romances never work out-this was an exception.

My sister would have been 58 years old today

If she had lived had lived past 27

No doubt she would have had children and maybe grandchildren to celebrate with today

If she had lived

It has been so long ago that we lost her to a fiery car wreck

But not too long for me to remember she was always the best big sister, even when I didn’t like her much

We were 21 months apart, we were oceans apart in our temperament and desires

But we grew up together, blessed to see Hawaii sunsets, Colorado dawns and falls in Illinois

She was smarter than I and I was pretty smart

She was more reliable and determined and I can be both

She was better than me in so many ways

I was the athlete and she was more the scholar

My daughter Amber was born weeks before Betty died

She held my daughter for the first time and the last time in January of ’82

I think she broke my mother’s heart when she died

I know my father was never the same

So today I tell her once again that I love her

As I have whispered so many times and in so many dark nights

My life, my children, my grandchildren would have all been better if she had been here to be a part of their lives.

I miss you, Betty Sue

I still do.

Leading the grand entry parade, Betty (on the right) and I on our big, matching flea-bitten greys. It was a wonderful life. Granby, Colorado

Betty, my momma and I, Thanksgiving, 1975             Tecumseh, Oklahoma