My Sister

This morning on my way to work, I started thinking about my sister. I was thinking about a blog she had written recently where she said she constantly composes things in her head, and whether they ever get written down or not, it is the way that she sorts through her thoughts. When she said this, I realized that I do the same thing ALL THE TIME. My thoughts went from that to actually composing a blog in my head ABOUT my sister. I decided that when I got home today, I would sit down and put this blog into action.

The FUNNY thing is that when I got home, I read this blog that she had written today requesting that people (specifically me) write a list of our top ten adjectives to describe her.

Well, sister dear, I will do better than ten adjectives. I will do an entire blog.

Since I just wrote about our weird connection, I'll tell you that this blogging incident was not the first time that this kind of thing has happened to us. Often, in the past, I have received a phone call from my sister just as I was considering picking up the phone and calling her (and, no, we do NOT call each other every day.. or even every week.. so yes this is quite something!).

But, probably the strangest thing that has ever happened was the day that she was giving birth. My parents and I were sitting in the Main Hospital Waiting Room waiting for a phone call from her hubby letting us know that BABY had been born. My Sister had been in labor since the night before, so we really had NO idea when the baby would finally arrive. As we were sitting there.. I suddenly had the strangest feeling come over me that caused me to physically suck in my breath. I told my mom what had happened and how strange it was. We looked at the time because I said SIS had probably just had her baby......... an HOUR later we finally received the call to come up to the maternity ward to see Mama and baby. The first thing I inquired about was the TIME of birth.. and sure enough.. it was exactly ONE minute after I had my strange feeling..

My sister.

When we were young, she was the definition of the mean older sister. When I look back on my childhood diary, I have numerous entries complaining about how mean she was. Her evil sister acts that top the charts of my memory are 1) Hitting me in the face with her jeans one evening at the dinner table (don't ask) and 2) taking the heads off all of my barbies, distributing them around my room, placing tiny tin foil knives in their hands, and telling me that they come alive at night and kill people. Terrible, right?

Despite her evil ways (according to my diary), I know that my sister was a big reason why I was able to look in the mirror and STOP seeing a tall, awkward, skinny, pale, freckly, dry skinned, dull haired girl as a teenager. My sister told me that I was beautiful more times than I could possibly count. She said it so much, that at one point or another, I began to believe her. She, also, was the one who told me I was a good writer. She always complimented me on what a good writer I was and encouraged me to write! (and, the funny thing is.. all along SHE was probably always the best writer in the family.. but chose to keep that gift undertabs)!

AND, believe it or not, she is the one who helped me to realize that I should be a teacher. I'll never forget it. We were at the beach with our family the summer after my freshman year in college. I was still an Undecided major. We were at the bookstore choosing some beach reading, and I (as usual) headed straight for the children's section (teenagers). She came and found me there and said.. "You know, Sarah, you like these books so much.. why don't you major in education and teach Jr. High English?!" And just like that... it was a done deal. She was right, and as soon as she said it, I knew it was what I should do.

My sister.

How could I possibly choose just ten adjectives when she is much more than that to me. To me.. my sister is:

- Ambition in action.. she doesn't just wish and hope to do things.. she does them.

- Beauty inside and out.. she is a GOOD person with GOOD intentions always

- The person I will look to for guidance when I am a mother (because as far as I can tell.. she is the BEST (mother)).

- One who doesn't accept mediocrity in herself OR others

- Silent Laughter (When we are together we almost always find something to be SO funny that when we laugh.. we laugh SO HARD that noise doesn't come out!)

- KNOWLEDGE (when I have a question about religion, politics, the world, or life in general.. I know she will have the answer I need)

- Thoughtfulness.. (She has (all of my adult life) sent me notes and letters just to say "good job", "congratulations" , "I'm thinking of you", or simply "Hello"! AND, unlike Me.. she never forgets a birthday.

- Strength... (and I don't say this b/c she's a brown belt in Tae Kwon Do and once flipped me!) I say this because she looks life square in the face and overcomes any obstacle that comes her way.

To give you an idea of who my sister is... when she was sick and in the hospital.. and they didn't know what was wrong.. but thought that it was cancer.... when I talked to her on the phone.. she would try to cheer me up and make things easier one me. Crazy that she would be thinking about my feelings when she was going through something like that.. But, that's her.

And, if you still don't feel like you've gotten the message about my sister.. I'll leave you with this final tidbit.

My sister... is probably the only person who can claim that she injured her back while attempting to carry her little sister to bed one night. (When I was 19!!! And she was 25!!!) :)))

Now, SIS. I think Lucas is right; because, if THAT doesn't qualify you as silly then I don't know what does.