Today is my Sister Lady’s birthday.  Everyone should be lucky enough to have a sister.  My story is unique in that she was 15 when I came along…much more like a mother to me than a sister.  All my positive childhood experiences are rooted deeply in the love I felt from not only her but my two brothers.  Several years ago, Earnie gave me a few albums with photos she had made from slides from my birthday parties and family vacations.  In almost every photo, I am being held by someone.  Earnie always says that my feet never touched the ground my first year of life.
But, today is reserved for Sister Bee and the many things I learned from her…
She taught me my ABC’s. Always be aware of boys with rocks.  “R” for rocks.
You must accessorize, even in the mountains.  Notice the purse and scarf.
Swimming can be fun, but never before 4 p.m.,
and ladies never get their hair wet while swimming.
I learned counting…like how long can I hold you because Earnie is feeding you a tad much.
I learned that chocolates are to be savored and not shared with the dog.
I also remember…
1) Learning to tie my shoes in the front seat of her Camaro (circa late 60s)
2)  Going to Dairy Queen for an ice cream if I did really well on a math quiz
3)  Making asparagus jello and that those two food groups should never be used in the same sentence.  It was terrible.
4)  Sister helping me come up with a craft to make to give as gifts for Christmas each year.  One year I made “kitchen spice ropes” and another year a recipe holder using a hairspray lid, plaster of paris, a plastic fork and flowers.
Happy Birthday, Sister Dear.
“Children of the same family, the same blood, with the same first associations and habits, have some means of enjoyment in their power, which no subsequent connections can supply.”
 ~Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814