Anyway, so I don't remember much about that time. If you know me at all, you know I have memory problems anyway. I wonder what everyone else remembers. Is it just me or do we all have "just the snapshots"? I see pictures. And that's unfortunate... because usually I see pictures that I've seen pictures of. Which makes me think I really don't remember much of anything at all... it's all just photographs that I looked at when I was older and formed a "memory" about. Anyway... I don't have many recollections of the time when my parents brought home my baby sister. I'm sure I was the typical firstborn... excited to have a sister but more than a little jealous of all the attention she was getting. But I loved her. The ONE THING that I can remember (and please, M&D, don't tell me if this didn't happen... well, not that you'd know since it was all in my head... but don't tell me if I get the details wrong) is standing on the bed beside her crib, watching her sleep, worrying about her. (I've always been a bit of a worrier... especially when it comes to my baby sister. Just can't stand the thought of anything bad happening to her. Must protect her at all costs. Don't really understand why I feel like I've got to be her mother... she has a wondeful one that's almost exactly like my own... but I still like to play mom to baby sis every once in a while.) Specifically, that night, I was on a fire kick. I had it all planned out... what we would do in case of a fire. Our windows aren't that high off the ground. I was pretty sure my almost-three year old legs (okay, so it was after I turned three) could make the jump with her in my arms. Well... maybe she'd have to hang on a little.
 |  |
OK, so as I re-read that, I realize that it's quite implausible. Fine. You got me. I probably made that up when I was about 10 or something. But I thought I remembered it. So, I'm keeping the "memory" anyway. Besides, you get the point. I love her. I worry about her. I want the best things life has to offer for her.
We grew up together. She bit me a lot. I DO remember one time in the KFC drive-thru on a Sunday afternoon (we were in church clothes) when she actually bit a HOLE in my dress. Actually, come to think of it... she must've been a little orally fixated... because she also loved to gross you out by attempting to LICK you. And pinching? Man, that girl was a pincher. I honestly do not remember inflicting nearly as much pain on her as she did on me. Well... except for the braiding. Mom liked our hair braided, and I learned to french braid pretty early in life, so I was responsible for the morning braid for baby sis. My own little rogue justice... probably more than a little unjust... especially for the baby sister who just hated to have her hair pulled. Sorry, baby, I probably could've been a little (or a lot) gentler.
Then came the teenage years. All the fighting we did just kind of stopped. And she truly became my best friend. When I got my license, she rode to school with me every day (with a little SCC cassette tape & McD's to entertain & nourish). And if I couldn't do something for her, I could find someone who could. How many of my friends out there gave Haley a ride somewhere at some point in our relationship? How many of you can't count the rides you gave Haley for me?! (I hope I did plenty of favors for you in return!) We still had our not-so-friendly moments... she HATED it when I drove fast, and since I knew that, I often indulged the behavior. I probably still told on her when she was doing something I didn't want her to do (although, I hope I did give her the opportunity to have a little fun here & there!). (Sorry, Haley, I just can't help telling everything I know. It's our mom in me. Someday I'll repay you (most specifically for the Snickers incident) with a heaping mound of Snickers bars.)
Since I love her so... and since today marks the end of twenty-some odd (or even) years that I've known her (well, maybe that was yesterday... and that would make today the BEGINNING of the next year!), I just wanted to spend a few minutes writing about my sister, favorite friend. I could never do her justice, so I won't really try. You should just know that she's the gosh darn best sister anyone could ever ask for. I miss her every moment that she's not with me. And I'm sure glad that man (you know, the one M&D went to see about a baby) gave us the one he did.
 |  |
♥ Happy birthday, little one! I hope it was everything you wanted & more. ♥
No comments:
Post a Comment