A very special cousin! Pauline was more than a cousin. She was my "Big Sister". We grew up together. She showed me the way in all things. So many memories! When we caught up earlier this year, as usual we shared many of these. Things like, how granadilla cake will always go hand in hand with Hout Bay. Memories of sitting on the edge of the beach with a cup of tea and a slice of granadilla cake. My Gran and Aunt Joan ( Paulin's Mum) were quite Victorian. Memories of us both attending Greenfield Girls Primary School. Memories of singing together in the choir at St John's Church in Wynberg, Cape Town - walking up to the church for choir practice on Thursday evenings, armed with a bag of little parcels of leftovers which Ma asked us to leave along the way for the stray dogs. As we grew older and moved in different directions, we were never more than a phone call away. Of course it was always wonderful to catch up physically when we were able. I did not know quite how much she suffered this past year. It was so like Pauline to think of others first and not want to cause anyone distress. She would regularly ask how Brian was doing, but would only answer my queries about herself if she was feeling good. Pauline was about the only person that I know who never bore a grudge. She never had a bad word to say about anyone, even those who let her down or hurt her. Her usual response to such situations was "That was so sad!" Pauline, I will miss being able to send you a whatsapp! This January, I will be sad not to get the call which I always got on my birthday ! But amid the sadness, there is also great joy, knowing that the instant that you closed your eyes here, in death, you opened them in the presence of the Lord! Until we meet again!