And I'm lucky to have her

I could write volumes of books about this girl, starting with how we really didn't like each other growing up, and I acted as though I wanted nothing to do with her or her friends, but really it was because I knew I could never measure up to her beauty and charm, so I acted as if I didn't want to, all the while stealing her clothes after she left for school and carefully replacing them just so in her closet before she came home from basketball practice or whatever it was so she wouldn't know I had worn them; then going on to how we became good friends as we got older and I liked that she liked to hang out with my friends, even when I wasn't around; then how we both got married and had kids and became genuine sisters who loved each other; then how she went through a really intensely difficult time in her life, and I felt like it was the most gut-wrenching thing that ever happened to me because I didn't want her to hurt, ever; and then on to how she is the greatest older sister I could hope for and how as I'm typing this, my daughter is pointing at her picture, saying, "She made my blanket for me!" which of course she did because she is so generous with her talents and gifts, and I love her so.

But I have to get my son to preschool in 13 minutes and then get the nail hole patched in my van tire, and I haven't gotten dressed yet, so I'm not going to have time to write those volumes. Plus, I realize that I have been hot-and-cold with recognizing loved ones' birthdays, et cetera, on my blog and I don't want my other much-loved sisters and folks to feel like I love them any less....

So, I'm just going to quickly say: Happy birthday, Sarah! You are wonderful in every way!

Comments

Jennifer said…
I need to be the first to comment on this wonderful person, too. I feel so lucky to have her as a friend...and happy for you that you have her as a sister. Happy Birthday, Sarah! Maybe I'll even bust out a phone call for this one. Your relationship w/each other reminds me way too much of me and Jaimy. I think we all fought so much b/c we were too much alike, which serves us well as adults. Such a blessing to have a sister!
May 12, 2009 9:54 AM
amyraye said…
i can relate- to many things you said. but mostly about the gut-wrenching part; made me cry. i think we all grew to love and appreciate her a bit more during that time. happy birthday, sarah!
May 12, 2009 10:04 AM
Anonymous said…
Emily, you know how to touch hearts with your beautiful words.
I'm also shedding a tear. Happy Birthday, Sarah, you lucky girl! Mom
May 12, 2009 10:12 AM
Sarah said…
Wow. I am really touched. I could not have made it through that gut-wrenching time without you, Emily. {Or without all the previous commenters, and others too.} I feel like I dumped my problems on you everyday. It must have been hard to take. Thanks for always being there for me. Thanks for a wonderful birthday - this post made my day! Truly.
May 12, 2009 12:15 PM
AmyJune said…
There is no friend like a sister. :)
May 12, 2009 3:27 PM
JenJ said…
Happy thoughts. Sad ones too. I am so so glad you have each other and Thrilled I know you too!!
May 13, 2009 3:05 PM
Michelle @ Twig said…
Hello! Was just clicking through seeing who entered the Elle Belle giveaway I'm featuring and realized that you are Sarah's sister! Beautiful post you did for her.
May 14, 2009 3:46 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Anyone else?

I just read this scripture quoted in a blog comment thread, alluding to. . .me. 2 Nephi 9:28 28 O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. The context: I had suggested that Ezra Taft Benson's political views as expressed in 1968 before he was the prophet were not the official political views of the church, and shouldn't be construed as such. It is actually not the first time this month that I've been told through scriptural references that I am a wicked person {my extrapolated take-away from the conversations}. I give up.
Read more

Another taboo topic: money

I don't have a lot of real visible or artistic talents, but one talent that has served me well is an ability to manage and organize money well. A few of my sisters-in-law have asked me how I do the family budget, so this is a straight up accounting of how I do the accounting. When we get a paycheck: 10% tithing right off the top Then, with the remainder (net minus tithing), I divy it up into percentages and put money into different "funds" -- that I keep track of in the back of my paycheck because I'm old school like that. Mortgage: I figure out the percentage it will take to cover my mortgage. Usually 29-30%. I think this percentage needs to stay under 35% of take-home after tithing. Baby steps: 20% goes to meeting financial goals a la Dave Ramsey's baby steps. This means that you focus on one thing at a time, leaving the rest so that your money is not so thinly spread and you can make visible progress. This presupposes that one has abandoned using credit, and i
Read more