My sister Doreen taught me in many ways to take care of myself, and was like a "second mom" to me, we used to say. When I was a baby and toddler, she doted on me -- her 12.5 year younger sister. She tutored me in arts and crafts (I can still see in my mind the volumes of blue Childcraft books we had at the Woodknoll Lane house). She played a large part in my learning how to read at 3 years old, I think. As I got older she taught me about nutrition, and how to enjoy cooking for one's self. We liked to make tacos, cheese and pickle sandwiches, or a favorite: avocado and tomato sandwiches. None of my friends seemed to make these foods, much less did any baking or cooking for themselves, but it was both self-sufficiency and a pleasure I gained to have some skill in these arenas. When I became a young adult, she reminded me to take care of my skin and treat myself gently. As a fellow lover of plants and of gardening, we shared ideas with each other about how and what to plant, new varieties we were trying, sometimes even swapping seeds through the mail. We  enjoyed the beauty of nature often together. It was a thing when I was little, both with Doreen and with my mother, to go on "nature walks" -- it was not for exercise really, but for awareness, communing with flora and fauna, collecting samples, following our curiosity about things we noticed. I am glad I had these influences that keep me feeling close to the earth. She will be tenderly remembered, and held in my heart, always.