Heather Arton

I have been thinking about Heather a lot today! Do you remember her strange eating habits - especially at breakfast?? Heather and I were due to be born at the same time; John and Betty agreed to travel to Oicha with Mum and Dad, but on the way up, John lost control of the truck and they ended up in a ditch. The got to Boyulu and Chester Burke straightened out the axle so they could continue the journey! They arrived at Oicha and Mum went into labour almost immediately - so I arrived within 24 hours of getting there - under weight!!! (who would think it now!!!) So Mum and Dad sat and waited until Betty went into labour and Heather took another 3 and half weeks to emerge! Any way, I digress!
Heather and Breakfast! - Heather hated porridge - she would sit at the table with a tumbler (remember those metal coloured tumblers - I loved the colours, almost iridescent), anyway, she would have tumbler of water in one hand and spoon of porridge in the other. She take a spoon of porridge and a gulp of water, and instead of eating the porridge, she would gulp it down as if she were swallowing a tablet. She used to pray that the Lord would call her to heaven before she had to eat the whole plateful! She was very often still there when the bus came to take us to school and it was always a mad rush to get her to the bus!
I often wondered how she managed in captivity - it seemed very wrong that she had to bear that! She had always been such a weak child - health wise, small for her age! We weren't in the same year at school - because she had gone to Reithy, she didn't have the French, so I think she was in Vov's year at school but Vov doesn't remember that! I may be wrong of course- about which year she was in, I just know I was the only english speaking girl in my class, which iguess is why I was more fleunt in French in those days!
We were always going to be nurses - Heather and I - I made it and always felt that I nursed for two, she always knew more than me about nursing - I guess Betty influenced that! And I have enjoyed my nursing career - so thank you Heather!! We are still soul mates!