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Thursday, April 02, 2020

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



9 comments:

  1. OH such beautiful words for your sister!
    the pictures bring back many memories !

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  2. Oh my, sister, thank you very much for this look back at the beginning of my life! A great, the very best, birthday surprise! Your loving words are a treasure to me and I shall carry them with me in my heart. xx

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  3. Oh, what a precious tribute to your dear sister-friend on her special day!! I know that you are thankful for the bond you share and I am certain that she knows how much she is loved . . . even though the events of these days may keep you physically apart. Thank you for sharing this heart-warming message today.

    Happiest of birthdays to Kathy!

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  4. Beautiful words and quotes on sisterhood. I don't have a sister, only two brothers. I always felt I was missing something, but God has graciously given me sisters that started out as friends. While we may not have grown up together, they are every bit as dear to me as if we did.

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  5. 👏🏻 Brilliant essay on the occasion of your sister’s birthday. I wonder if parents ever realized the weight put upon us for being the elder sister? My sister was forever climbing the well house, which I had been told to prevent her from doing. I had nightmares of her falling into the well. It was awful. Still, she’s been worth the trouble. A very happy and blessed birthday to your sister who finally joins you in this special decade. ☺️

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  6. Aww thank is so nice. My baby sister passed away at the age of 56, in 2015. I'm the only one left from my bio family. You miss your parents, of course, but losing a sibling; especially a sister is very hard. Such a nice tribute for her.

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  7. You made me smile, Brenda, because my sister Joan also looked out for me. She helped me out of some mud puddles too. She mentored and encouraged me to be a teacher, a writer or whatever I wanted to be. She taught me how to be a mom and an auntie. She taught me to drive a standard shift car on the steep hills south of Jasper Avenue in Edmonton. Before I had my license, she would drive me--in her pyjamas--to my Saturday 8:00 a.m. class, so I could sleep in a bit longer, because we’d stayed up too late the night before.

    Joan prayed for me. She gave me a mirror plaque that said, “In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.” She was my angel sister on earth. Four-and-a-half years ago, she was promoted to be my angel sister in heaven. I miss her here, but I know she is still “there" for me.

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  8. What a lovely tribute to your sister. I was the eldest sister, but my sister and I, although we love each other dearly, don't have a close relationship, and I regret that. I spoke with her today, though, and we had a good chat about how each other is doing with the current situation.

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To My Beautiful Readers,

Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same. ~ Franz Peter Schubert

Thank you so much for leaving your 'footprint' here in my comment box. I do appreciate you taking a moment to share your thoughts today.

Brenda xo