Happiness is Having a Sister!

I was thinking of all of my sisters on my run today.  I was thinking of how they have influenced me and my path in life.  Not until this afternoon, I realized today was the anniversary of when my little sister Julie died at the age of 18.  It still is bitter sweet and we all miss her dearly.

Emily - My oldest sister Emily, even though she talks really fast on the phone, has such calm and reassuring personality.  I often would escape to Emily's house.  During the Summer months when I was still living at home.  (I think I may have lived with her for a total of a year if you added up all of the time).  Or, during college when I needed to just talk and hang out.  She is always so positive and caring.

Cheryl - Cheryl helped me to learn to put my best foot forward.  She did my hair and got me dressed every morning until I was 8 years old.  "Beauty is Pain!" She would say while brushing out my hair.  She even rescued an haircut disaster in college.  I cut my hair in the middle of a date.  When I was all dressed up to be picked up, my hair was a boy haircut, brown and greasy.  She got me an appointment and paid for some highlights so I could feel better about my hair.  Even though I often times feel tired or awkward, I know I can try to look my best.

Mary - Mary gave me a fascination for the ever-improving mindset.  There is always a 'better' way to do something.  We would make custom 'home-made' planners during my first year of college.  (we couldn't afford a franklin planner).  By the next year we had to buy all new materials because we had to re-work our design.  Imagine our lives now with 100+ apps to make your life easier.  It just takes forever to find the 'best' app!

Al - Al has always had a zest for life and was never scared to try and figure out something new.  She went to China to teach english for six months.  She is now running a farm with goats, chickens, & sheep and 8 kids!  She helped convince me to move to Philadelphia.  She was moving but assured me that her friends would look out for me, which they did.  It's amazing the things you can accomplish when you are not scared to get out and try something new.

Suz - Suz helped pave the way for the little sisters.  She did Tennis throughout school, which I copied.  She ran track her senior year, which led me to run track the next year.  She was in student government, and so was I (the next year).  Get the pattern? She kept telling me to major in Information Systems.  She even forwarded me a copy of a friends offer letter to entice me.  She has always encouraged me to learn and do more in school, activities, and now in real life.

Becca - Becca helped me learn dedication and perseverance.  I was behind her in College and thought about going into Accounting.  Anytime we talked about owing money to each other she made me say in Accounting Lingo "I need to debit my Accounts Receivable and credit Accounts Payable." (That was totally wrong, that's why I'm not an Accountant today).  Becca is nervous to take on any new hobby or craft because she will not go halfway.  She started running again after her last baby (who is 18 months old) and just ran in the Boston Marathon! Amazing!

Julie - Julie taught me about bravery and courage.  Julie is my little sister by 14 months.  We were often confused as 'the twins' because we both had blue eyes, blond hair, and were the same height.  She quickly passed me in height as well!  She was diagnosed with cancer at 16.  While in remission she would go on 'photo safari's,' fly kites, and started picking up where she left off.  When the cancer came back, she had a fighting attitude.  She said, "I know that this is probably the hardest thing I will go through, but it's not THAT hard."  Towards the end, every day was a fight and she was strong and courageous, not for herself, but for all of us who didn't want to see her go.

Bina - Bina helped me have fun laughing, singing, and being silly.  I am a goof, and will always be goofy.  Bina just helps accentuate that aspect in me.  During college we would do such crazy things together.  I went to pick up Bina from the testing center and decided to dress as a princess.  I started chasing and calling after random guys, "My Prince! My Prince!"  We would often go to 7-11 in the weirdest outfits.  Bina helped me realize that we are all a little weird and "That's OK!"