There Was A Little Girl

TODAY IS MY SISTER'S BIRTHDAY. We share February birthdays and growing up we always shared a party. Usually right in the middle on Valentine's Day. I wish I could share a party with her today. I wouldn't even compare presents! I don't really think she knows how much she means to me. That's her in the cheerleader pose lurking over me. And yes, we have octopus toys on our heads. And yes, again, I have on TURTLENECK pajamas. What's the deal with putting a claustrophobic child in turtleneck pj's! HA. Love you MOM! They are cute. And yes, this was before I was able to get my eyebrows waxed!

Her Kindergarten class calls me each year on my birthday and sings to me. This year after they sang, they counted my age out by 5's! You know, 5, 10 , 15, 20.......I didn't know 5 year olds could count that high! So, today I called her and wanted to know if she wanted me to count by 5's for her age. She's witty like me and quickly responded, "My age can't be counted by 5's! " She meant without a remainder of some numbers. But, I am the oldest. So, I couldn't really argue with that. I am just not mathematically inclined like she is.

Not only is she mathematically inclined she is just durn smart. I mean seriously smart. She used to get upset stomachs if she made a 99. She never procrastinated. She always did her homework by herself without help. While I whined in the background because I didn't get it. This probably explains why she was VALEDICTORIAN in high school and VALEDICTORIAN at ACU with a 4. ++++ who knows how much more GPA. I majored mostly in social skills which if there was an award, well I would've won that.

She was precious too. And well behaved. And polite. And never any trouble. She was even a middle child yet did not fit that stereotype. She had a million friends. Teachers remarked, " Are you sure you are Lynn's sister?" She still is precious only now she is also beautiful. She is a remarkable woman. She is looked up to by everyone she encounters. Everywhere I go someone knows her. Someone adores her. And rightly so. She's a woman full of integrity, self confidence, and love. She is a woman of God. She lives that. She walks the walk and talks the talk. Which makes her also beautiful on the inside. Or as my sweet Ashley would say, "She's going to Heaven magna cum Laud." And she is. Her children all fit right into her mold and are carbon copies. Her husband adores her. And likewise. She is even submissive! Our "baby sister" is just like that too~ and NO, my parents swear I am not adopted.

As we get older, our relationship, love, and concern for each other just seems to deepen and deepen and deepen. I adore her children/grandchildren and she does mine. When my kids were at ACU she finished raising them! THANK GOD, for Aunt Jody. She did their laundry, "rocked" them when they were homesick, and nursed them when they were sick and too far to come home. When they wanted homemade chocolate chip cookies they knew where to go. For that I can never repay her. Or her husband.

I seriously can not remember a memory that she is not a part of. Although, I still do not remember Lake Whitney. We still love to be together. We still love to talk on the phone. We still love to laugh together. She's dropped everything and rushed to my bedside several times when I was sick. She's a phone call away when I need her. She's prayed for me ( for a long long time, I might add) and still does. Prayed for my health, for my kids, for my marriage, and for my soul. Do you realize how much that means to have a sister like that? And I have 2 !

I have now rightfully earned my place as HEAD SISTER. She and Kathy ( baby sister ) both let me boss them around again in this stage of our lives. I certainly take every opportunity to do that. It feels good since my kids are grown and I can't boss them anymore. I like to be the boss. Does that surprise you? Seriously, HEAD SISTER means nothing.....she is my strength.......she is my soul mate.......my confidante.......my conscious........my counselor.......my precious sister. Who I love with all my heart. HAPPY BIRTHDAY dear SISSIE, happy birthday to you.