Shine Now! Mag July 2016 Shine Now! Mag July Volume 1 Issue 2 | Page 24

Patricia was the only
woman, maybe the first
ever, to lead a coed
command during wartime.
For many years, we lived
together in Washington D.C.
How in the world we
survived each other, only
God knows? It was only by
the grace of God and the
prayers of my mother that
we didn’t kill each other. I
used to tell her, “If you were
my husband, I would have
divorced you a long time
ago.”
Yet, we were always there
for each other. She was as
protective of me as I of her.
We celebrated our
accomplishments and was
the others most ardent
supporter. Our lives were so
intertwined.
I likened losing Patricia to
the pain of a person losing
their spouse. It was such a
harsh ripping away.

Patricia & Jacqui
The bickering and
arguing didn't stop, but
we realized it defined our
relationship. Our sibling
said, "Patricia and Jacqui
fuss and fight, but
they're the only ones
who give each other a
gift for Christmas and on
their birthday.”
So, while Patricia was
alive our laughter was
different. I miss her
laughter, even though for
a time, I couldn't
remember how it
sounded. Since she has
been gone, I laugh like
her. I say some of the
words she said with the
same intonation.

We were the youngest of 10,
and for 57 years we shared a
love-hate relationship like
none other. Only one year
and four days separated us.
She was as much my
nemesis as she was my best
friend.

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