A Sister Is a Best Friend Who Won't Go Away

I was 15 months old when my sister, Lisa, came into the world. My instincts tell me I was not excited about the gift of a sister. She was less than two weeks old when my mom put her in a bassinet for a nap. The bassinet was lovely, skirted in white ruffles, mounted on wheels and approximately 24 inches from the ground. My mom only turned her back for a moment, just long enough for me to push the bassinet and my sister out of her room, down the hall, and into the living room, where I pushed it over will all my might. My sister flew into the air, but she was okay; the glass corner of the coffee table broke her fall. From there she was taken right back to the hospital she came from - for stitches across her left eyebrow. Imagine my toddlerhood disappointment when she came back. Today when my mom tells this story she is still horrified. My sister and I, however, don't remember it, which seems like such a shame.

That's right. I've got a sister. Compared to me she's 14% funnier but 31% less insane.

When I told her I was going to write about her to celebrate her birthday she said she didn't care. When I asked if I could use pictures she immediately ask, "Can you swear to me that I will look thinner than you in all of them?" I said yes. Of course I lied, but don't blame me. She should know better than to trust me.


This is us. She is 3 and I am 4. Aren't we cute? This picture is proof that at one point in our lives we could rock the short shorts. Doesn't she look happy? You would be too if I was your sister. Trust me. Oh, look! I'm telling her a secret! Let's listen in: "You better give me your cookie. We've still got that bassinet. Don't make me hurt you."

When we moved into a larger house I was 6 and she was 5. In the basement was a laundry room. That's where she actually agreed to let me put her in the dryer and turn it on. I didn't close the door though because that would have been mean. I just turned the dryer on and watched her spin around. After about 1.3 revolutions she decided it wasn't such a good idea. I never remember thinking it wasn't a good idea. Even to this day.

This is a picture of us the day I graduated from high school. My mom said, "Smile like you really like each other." That's when she jumped up on me. Not many things in my life are idyllic. But I could not have picked a better sister. We are friends, which means when we fall we will help each other up. But we are also sisters, meaning that we have to point and laugh before helping the other one up. That's just how we roll.

She was the maid of honor at my wedding. Before I got married I told her that if she was going to stand up with me I always wanted her to tell me the truth, no matter what. So about 5 years ago, when Dan and I hit a very low point, I called her. She lived 2 hours north of me. I told her I was coming to her house to spend the night because Dan and I were arguing. She said, "You can come over. We can pray together. But you can't spend the night. You belong with your husband, not here." That is when she moved from best friend status to once-in-a-lifetime friend status. She told me the truth, I didn't like it, but today I'm still married and pretty happy about it, too.

A best friend, whether a sister or not, isn't afraid to hurt your feelings; making someone happy isn't always in their best interest. But that's another post for another day.

So, Lisa, in honor of your birthday I'd like to sing you one of your favorite songs. Better yet, why don't I let these guys sing it for me? I love you!!





What about you? Tell me about your family.