Why I Love My Sister

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

It's hard to say if I truly remember when my sister was born, or if I remember the photos of her birth. Regardless, the memory is there. August 9, 1990. 

I realize now, as a 27 year old new mother, that my then 27 year old mom was a complete warrior. Her mother had passed away unexpectedly 2 weeks before my sister's arrival. I can't imagine the loss, but I can completely understand how the bond between the two of them is deeper than just mother-daughter. Without a doubt, I believe a part of my grandmother's spirit made it's way into my sister's heart and back to this earth. She was a source of joy and comfort for my mom that nobody else could be. She was their little angel baby. She'll always be the baby of our family. 

As for me, I was 3. As far as I was concerned, Laura Rose ((which turned into "Rosebud," which got shortened to "Bud")) had brought a Prince Eric doll from wherever she came from, as a gift to me. She was in. I liked her.

Not only am I grateful to my sister for being such an amazing sibling, friend, and person...I am also so grateful to my parents for giving me Bud. 

Anybody who has a sibling can relate. My sister is my confidante. She's my partner in crime! We laugh at the same stupid stuff (like a dog's collar...why is that funny?!), and feel similarly on so many issues, it's eerie. When something is going on in the family, she's my preferred person to talk to, because she's on EXACTLY the same page. She's the only other person on the planet who grew up in the same house, with the same parents. Every holiday was spent together. Every birthday, ever. I held her as a baby and will stand beside her in October as her matron of honor. "Grateful" doesn't begin to explain my feelings toward her.

We started out really close, and played together constantly. Most of the time, she would kindly watch me play Barbies by myself. Haha. We also had a game, creatively titled, "The Game," where we would claim various pieces of furniture, homes, pets, you name it! in our make believe life. She was "Kristy" and I was "Kelly". Eventually, I got tired of playing The Game with my little sister, and dramatically acted out Kelly's death. I'm pretty sure she was devastated. We played N64 together in inflatable chairs, never learned how to dive together, and even played Christmas carols on the flute together. We rode bikes together, had pretend interviews on the old camcorder, and made up children's TV programs where we were the stars. When I hear Elvis Costello, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Natalie Merchant, and Gin Blossoms, I think of our long summer days back in the 'ville. Any memory I have of my childhood involves Bud.

When I was going into high school, and Bud was 10-11, we spent less time hanging out as friends. I don't remember having a falling out or anything, it just seemed like in hindsight I was in a tryin-to-act-cool phase...fortunately, it was short lived. I remember in college, coming home and realizing how authentically cool my sister was, and being grateful for our relationship. 

At Joe T. Garcia's with our baby cousin, Allie Jean!

My gift to Bud for her 21st birthday

Now, we are closer than ever. I'm also more proud of her than ever. She graduated with her Bachelor's from Tech Summa Cum Laude in 2012. She immediately pursued her Master's, and is now a Speech Pathologist, with a job lined up to begin next week. Luckily for us, she was at home ((Flower Mound)) for most of the summer, but she moves to Houston next week to start her professional life...and I have to say, I am so sad.

She is so much help. She picks up LG from the nanny...she makes dinner all the time...she runs errands, cleans up, drops everything to help me out. She's so helpful. I also lean on her emotionally. I call her more now than ever. Or text, at least. I go to her when I'm down, and I feel no judgment, just total love, and understanding...true understanding. She's very empathetic. 

I used to think of myself as "the smart one" and she was "the pretty one." That sounds so dumb, but it's truthful. Now I realize she's both. She's so beautiful inside and out. She's so smart. She has practical knowledge and a very intuitive sense that's refined. She's open to Life, and doesn't claim to know all the answers. She is a seeker. She has a lot more going on in her mind than she blurts out ((I tend to blurt)).  She has become more "herself" which has been fun to watch and support. 

At the end of the day, I probably love most the ability to cry with my sister, and laugh until I cry with my sister, in any situation. While I love the small things, like swinging on the porch swing sipping a cocktail, watching The View ((and eye-rolling at Sherri Shepherd)) or jumping in the community pool in our clothes after a hot summer walk...I am most grateful for the big picture...which is that she is a part of me, and I'm a part of her. 

Happy birthday, Bud! I'm so glad you were born. And HAPPY BRIDAL SHOWER DAY! I hope you have the best birthday//bridal shower ever. I love you, forever and ever.

xo,

L