Craig’s Eulogy

Debbie Michelle Ing – My Sister

Debs, before I stumble my way through this. How is your bum? I bet you are now thinking it was a mistake to own up to nearly burning down David and Louise’s porch at Dad’s funeral? There has not been enough time gone by for Dad to have forgotten about that little confession and I bet he has not stopped spanking your bum since you joined him.

You have also managed to fulfil one of your ambitions. You now have a website -you’re on the internet baby. The only difference being the photos that will be there are probably not the ones you would have chosen. In fact the police have already confiscated one of “your” photos! Your web address is http://www.debbieing.com!

You have given me the most immense, empty feeling inside. You have left me feeling lost, as though I am alone in a huge room, the biggest room you could ever imagine. There are no doors, no windows, no lights and no understanding of how I can possibly have a life outside it. I do not know which direction to walk in!

I could not choose my sister. In fact, in the early years, if I could it would not have been you. I was lumbered with you. While we were growing up in Scotland you were my annoying little sister who would nick my sweets, steal my toys and never sleep until I had sneaked into your room after our lights were out and talked to you for a while. Then as we grew older my role as your brother became more defined. I was there to bail you out! I am not going to list any of the bad things as we have only have the chapel booked until 2:30 and there would not be enough time but also there are police in the house. But it has been during the last 10 years or so that I have really known what it is like to have a sister.

It is incredible to think about all the people that have spoken about being touched by your love. It knew no boundaries or prejudice. It was completely selfless. From my point of view, the love we shared was absolutely unconditional. There was nothing you could do or I could do that would stop us loving each other. Most people know the definition of love and what it means to them. However, in most relationships there are conditions to that love. If you sleep with someone else, if you hit me, if you leave me – the love dies. With you and I and what we had there were no conditions – ever. It is eternal!

Only big brothers will understand what it is like to have a little sister. Your role is to make sure they are alright all the time. To vet the boyfriends, to chat up the girlfriends, to give money, to be a taxi driver, and to take the blame. The difference with us is that apart from just being my sister you were my friend. Someone who I needed, someone who I valued the opinion from, someone who I turned to for advice! You were everything to me!

Before I finish spouting on , I just want to talk about pride. It would be a lie for me to say I have always been proud of you. I haven’t. Like the rest of us, you did things that I did not like. However, you changed. More recently you became a woman. You knew your values, your dreams and you were going out there, getting them and living them. Generally people can be put into two categories – the talkers and the walkers. There are those that expect things to come to them – the talkers. And then there are those who go and get them – the walkers. You were a walker. You would speak in the future tense and then make it the present! You achieved! You make me proud, you make mum proud and you make dad proud.

From this point on you will be remembered every time we have a drink because we no longer say “Cheers”. As we chink our glasses or our bottles we will say forever more “Ding”.

You will live long in our hearts, minds and memories. It is now time to pass the microphone to someone else……….

Mum has already talked about the words that people have used to describe you , your antics and their memories. For me, my one summarising statement is that you “made a difference!” To everyone!

I love you LS. Always and forever. Be safe, be happy and I will see you again!