Reflections from Ingrid

Carol was my only Aunt.

As a child, in my eyes, she was kind, funny, glamorous and adventuresome. I was jealous of my cousins- Carol spoiled them with sparkling colorful things. She made sure they had a home that was clean and fun and warm. I remember her big laugh that always embarrassed my cousin Sharon. I thought it was great that the world could hear her enthusiasm over a silly joke. She always gave me little presents that meant so much; her high school Autograph book, from which I practiced and copied her beautiful script style until it was mine as well. Her gold mazzuzzah, which I thought was so beautiful, I wore it around my neck until I eventually lost it in a soccer field in Mexico where we had set up camp with a Mexican Circus. She introduced me to the smell that is my signature smell still: tea rose. She always showed an interest in me as a person and that made me feel so special.

Carol always had great friends. She prided herself in the fortune to be a part of such wonderful characters, and made sure to plan lots of adventures with them. She chose unusual, intelligent and beautiful women to socialize with. They say you can tell a lot about a person by the people they hang with.

As I grew up, I became quite busy with first my career and then a family and then a move half across the country. Carol always made the extra effort to get together, to my shame, I did not return the effort. Going to visit her at her beloved beach home never happened.

I think that Carol Lived her life to the fullest, always impatiently steaming ahead. I think she was a great addition to this world and affected it in a positive way. People laughed because of her. They did new things because of her. They were irritated sometimes because of her, but only because she cared so much to see positive results.

Family dynamics are such a strange creature, we all have this strange chemistry together, Love, frustration, Love, expectations, Love, disappointment, Love, Hope, Laughter, a big adventure of life as one, and many more that come and go through it. I am so very glad that Carol was a part of my family and life. She was a strong, burning light of Joy, interest, proactivity, and Love. I do really, really miss her, I still cannot believe she is gone.

Lots of Love and thoughts Carol, where ever you are right now.
Ingrid.