Do you know my sister?

I have sisters-

*dear friends that I have learned I can share lot's of deep hearted emotions and lot's of silly giggles with.

*a group of girls that share dreams, goals, identities in some social way.

* sisters in love that have come alongside my brothers and made them better.

But I have only one sister!

At one point in my life, I could have sworn that was all anyone could stand. My sister could stand up with the best of them, whether it was taking on her little brothers- all three of them, or me- her older and 'wiser' sister! Yeah right!

We suffered through high school together-competing at many turns- though she was strong in areas I never could be. She did things like debate and band, I did poetry interpretation and band. Ok, so in our small school, we had to be in band if we wanted any music- and we both loved music. She played the clarinet- I started there, then went to sax, then bass clarinet & oboe, even trumpet (none of which worked for me) even stepped back into the drums section to learn all the percussive instruments. She got good at clarinet- I just dabbled at all the others.

We went to the same college and even lived in the same dorm- but rarely saw each other. I was 'too' busy. I remember only a few times I would journey down to her end of the dorm and visit. I regreted that later. Not that I went to see her- but that I didn't go more often.

And then there was that time after I was married that she started a 'progressive date' at my house with 'drinks'! I was supposed to serve apple cider- very fancily! However, this crazy pitcher that I got for a wedding present didn't pour very well, and I ended up pouring 'drink' on her beautiful dress. So she spent the rest of her time at my house- washing out the stain. It didn't stop her from the rest of the evening! I always felt so awful!

Then we ended up in the same town - in Pennsylvania of all things. That's long ways from Texas or Omaha. But we had the pleasure of being together when our kids were born. I had Cait, she had Phillip, then my Brielle, then Kristen,(2 months apart to the day), then I had Leisha- and moved away. She had Matt a little later. I was done, but she had one more- Shannon!

While we lived close, one of the fun things we did together was sing. We became the sister act that sang at local clubs and luncheons. My mom in love made coordinating dresses for us and we had a Christmas program that was really fun to do. I think she mostly liked doing it with me- but lot's of times I just got her involved trying new stuff cause I didn't want to do it alone.

We both homeschooled our kids- neither of us had any intentions to do it. We shared ideas & books. I learned so much from her because she loved to learn- loved to dig into things and find out what made them tick.

This past week, my sister turned 50! She doesn't look it! In fact, in lot's of ways, she looks younger now than she has! I got to surprise her at the surprise party her husband threw for her. It was so fun! I wanted to call her a hundred times to see if I should bring this or that. I thought about her so much for those few weeks I knew something she didn't.

And I realized again how grateful I am that she is my sister! At one time I thought perhaps we might not have been friends if we hadn't have been sisters. But I realized that my closest friends are just like her. We are sisters- and we are friends. I can always count on her to show up when no one else can, to tell me what I need to hear, even when I don't want to hear it. My own daughters remind me of her so much that I often call my oldest daughter, Cyndy!

So Cy! As you experience this 50th year of your life- I just want to say, "I'm glad I've got to be part of all of them! I'm glad you are my sister. I'm proud of you and for the wife, mom and woman of God that you are! Happy Birthday, sis!"

(Cyndy with her oldest son, Phillip at his college graduation last week.)