Happy Birthday to Us . . .

On January 18th, 1964, the eve of my very first birthday I received a gift.  The gift weighed in at just under eight pounds, but the impact that she would have on my life would be immeasurable.  

The gift was a sister.  

She rocked my world, and for the past 48 years she has continued to rock my world.  In a good way.  Mostly.  If you are blessed to have a sister you know exactly what I mean.  We have two younger brothers, but we are each others only.  

She is the only one I shared a bedroom with, from birth until the day I got married.  From side by side cribs . . . to a double bed . . . to bunk beds {she was bottom, I was top}.  She was the only one who knew our secret singing game.  She is the only one who could make me madder than anything by wearing my clothes without asking.  She is the only one who thought it was cool to wear matching shirts, even in junior high.  She is the only one I shared a pajama drawer with.  She is the only one who 

played dolls with me for hours . . . for years.  She is the only one who fought me for bathroom space, daily.  She was the loud to my quiet.  The fast to my slow.  She was the messy to my neat.  My ever present fan and foe.

She is my constant support, even if it's from thousands of miles away . . . even if we go weeks without hearing each other's voice.  Our hearts are bound.  We've shared the highest joys and we've shared hard things that have made us stronger in the end. We think alike.  We like the same things.

We love nothing better than to escape it all and run of to a Goodwill together-- and then follow the bargain hunting up with a McD's cheeseburger and sweet tea.  We are that easy to make happy, together.  She has prayed more prayers for me than could be counted.  We rejoice together and we cry each others tears.  We are sisters.  We laugh hysterically {at things that aren't even funny}, we make each other mad, and we crack each other up again.  If you know my sister, you know laughter.  It is true.

Thank you mom, for my very first birthday gift.  

You did good. 

Ame, I love you.  Through the ups and downs.  The fun stuff and the tough stuff.  Together or apart.  

Happy Birthday sweet Sis. 

You are my favorite gift.

"For there is no friend like a sister
In calm or stormy weather;
To cheer one on the tedious way,
To fetch one if one goes astray,
To lift one if one totters down,
To strengthen whilst one stands."
-- Christina Rossetti

Blessings from my thankful nest~

Tina