It's A Birthday Post!

"Now that looks good!"

A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.

MARION C. GARRETTY

Today is my sister's birthday and, yes, we feel a little sad about not being able to celebrate in person. But we're not going to waste a single moment regretting something we have no control over. Coronavirus or not, we're marking the event by raising a glass and having a slice as we send her all our love and best wishes for a very Happy Birthday!

When I was little I had an imaginary friend. His name was Barry. We were the same height—I knew that because I could put my arm across his shoulder very comfortably when we walked down the sidewalk. Then the miracle of a little sister happened, and it wasn't long before I found myself with a new playmate. I must admit she wasn't as compliant as Barry; in fact she was a little handful in those early days. If the two of us went outside to play, as older sister, I was instructed to keep her from going down in the garden after the spring thaw. I certainly did my best to keep her out of the boot-sucking mud, but she and her little rubber boots were ever ready to slosh through the next water puddle, cow pie, or muddy patch. The mud was the worst—yes, even worse than smelly old cow pies, at least they didn't suck your boots off. Invariably she'd get stuck, and then I'd have to arm wrestle the boots out, trying to hurry, 'cause we didn't want to have to do any 'splaining to Mom.

Through all our growing up years, my sister and I were the best of playmates, and for the most part we got along. We shared our toys and books, we made up games, rode our trikes together, and played house under the makeshift tent on the front step. We had identical dresses for special, and we would dare each other to see who could jump the highest on the bed and touch the ceiling....we always wondered how Mom could see those little fingermarks so high up.

Now all these years later, my sister joins me in this decade where we share the title of femme d-une certaine age—it sounds better in French, don't you think? It matters not how many years pass, we're still the same best friends we were when we were girls. We touch base every day and pick up where we left off, barely requiring the usual intro chatter....starting conversations with whatever's on our mind. We've got our own lingo, we roar with laughter over the zaniest things. We'll often hop on each other's soap boxes if a rant is required.

There's an old saying, "A friend is one to whom one may pour out the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that gentle hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away." That's how it is with us.

Someone once asked how people make it through life without a sister. I must confess, I cannot imagine it. I feel so very lucky-blessed for my beautiful sisters. I am so grateful!

Here's to you, my dear darling sister, Kathy. May you know how much we love you and how glad we are for your radiant presence in our lives. And, may the good Lord bless you and keep you and turn His face to shine on you....always and forever. xox

Me and Little Sister trying out my new trike

The greatest gift our parents ever gave us was each other.

UNKNOWN

Already into the books and looking very happy about it!

“Sisters function as safety nets in a chaotic world

simply by being there for each other.”

CAROL SALINE

Trying on Grandma's hat!

A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit,

a golden thread to the meaning of life.

ISADORA JAMES

Happy Birthday!

You know full well as I do the value of sisters’ affections;

there is nothing like it in this world.

CHARLOTTE BRONTË

Happy Birthday, Dearest Kathy!

With So Much Love,

Brenda

xox