Claire my elder sister turned 40 the month before my stroke, as kids and teenagers we weren’t especially close, but as we got older became very close, especially when Claire had her first child, my mega intelligent niece Rose, as a baby rose was difficult and Claire struggled especially when her close group of friends quickly lost interest after rose was born and disappeared, I started to spend my day off every week with Claire and rose and help where I could, we kept the tradition up even when my nephew Louis joined us, and through covidlock down, I vividly remember once going to her house standing at the back door watching the kids play and being upset I was missing their development and missing Claire’s company

Claire is much more level headed and calmer than me and not much phases her

Her logical brain and non reaction was great during the early days of stroke and recovery, she came to see me every day, but didn’t ever really get upset but she did regularly give me hugs which I always appreciated , after 3 weeks it was school half term and she had a holiday booked with her family and somefriends. The day before she left for the airport she cried and said she didn’t want to leave me, but with encouragement from me and my parents did go and needed a good break as she had also spent considerable time and effort emotionally supporting our parents.

Please sister, can you make me feel ok?

S

Please sister ~ the cardigans 2003 🎶