Luvin La Vida Loca!

Charlie, Willie, Jamee, Lisa, Scotty and Curtis in back. Taken in front of our bungalow. Ready for the suicide drive into Acapulco for a great evening meal and lots of laughter. Fifty bucks says Charlie will order red snapper.

Life was always special for me with my Sister Wilma in my life. We shared a special relationship. She was my mentor, my sibling and my very best friend. We could spend hours and hours together..and we did. Talking, shopping, planting flowers, playing golf, tennis and of course visiting with her friends. Friends so plentiful that I never really met them all even as often as I visited. She was always just a phone call away.

How I loved to play golf with her and her friends. She always invited me to play the tournaments and of course guest day at her golf club. The truth be known, I knew her friends better than my own. I used to tease Willie that my place in life was to forever be known as Wilma's sister. A moniker I was proud to carry. I will go into the golf stories at a later date.

Our trips to Acapulco started in the late 70's and lasted right up until November of 1986 a few months before her death in April of 1987. We went almost every year and sometimes twice a year. I will tell you now that Wilma was game for just about any adventure you could conjure up. She was a spontaneous fun energetic person with a love for family and friends. We never had to ask her twice if she wanted to take a trip.

Jamee and Curtis adored their Aunt Wilma. She lavished them with love and attention. We always went to town to go shopping and they loved to tag along. Stopping in a restaurant for a cold Corona was a must on our shopping trips.

Hanging out after breakfast on the patio overlooking the ocean. Wilma, Jamee and Charlie.

Breakfast on the patio was the start of every day. Charlie could whip up a great breakfast.

Gracias hermana por las memorias marvillosas.

Lisa

Wild and Woolly Farm Kids.

The Sharp Sisters, Wilma, Melba, Melissa and Tootie.


My Earliest memories with my sister were when I was around 4 or 5 years of age. Being the oldest of seven children, Wilma was left to care for all of us on many occasions. She was like a substitute mother to me and my three younger siblings.

Back in the 40's parents left their children in the care of older siblings without much hesitation. My older brother Neil and older sister Melba were more a distraction than a help. Can you imagine at the age of 10 being responsible for the care of five siblings. There were so many disasters that took place like catching the couch on fire and some of us eating all the ex lax thinking it was chocolate candy. The time Bill got lost in the field of giant sunflowers. The turbulence with all those wild and woolly kids was enough to drive a grown up nuts, let alone a ten year old child. I am sure my siblings can tell many stories of our childhood that are now humorous but not so funny at the time they happened.

I have often thought that dealing with all the catastrophes of life at such a young age was in part responsible for all her health issues later in life. I found her crying in the bathroom so many times when the boys were out of control(which was most of the time) We all thought it was fun and games but to Wilma it was a responsibility she would rather not have. Still she remained loving, kind and supportive without missing a beat, playing with us when she could and mothering us even when we were at play.

My hair was always washed combed and curled by Wilma. She took loving care of me, making sure my thin straggled hair was clean and washed to keep me out of trouble with my dad who always seem to notice the state of my hair each morning as he drove us all to school. Thinking back I wonder how she managed to get up and help mom in the kitchen, and get us and herself ready for school each day.

Her cleaning and cooking chores were numerous. While we were all out having fun she was doing chores and taking care of things so our life was better. These things never occurred to me until I was grown and married with children of my own. How I wish I could talk to her just one more time and I would thank her for all the things she did for all of us for so many years. It seems she was always a caretaker. How lucky we were to have her for our Big Sis.

Willie Jean....my sister, my best friend!

Lisa and Wilma in the airport right after we landed in Acapulco. One of the many trips we took together. This was the year we kidnapped Scotty for his 50th birthday. The best trip ever!


My niece Carrie Benedict, in a recent conversation was expressing her wish that she could remember her Nanny K better. She hears everyone talk about her Nanny but she was so young when Wilma passed on that her memory is not as strong as some of the other kids in the family. Carrie was Wilma's youngest grandchild. I hope this website will be a place where Carrie and other family members and friends can enjoy the memories that we all share of such a wonderful person.

I will be the first to admit that seldom a day goes by that she is not in my thoughts and her memory lives deep in my heart. Willie was my sister and my best friend.