Happy Birthday Elizabeth!

    

     Wednesday was my aunt's birthday and today is the birthday of my one and only fantastic little sister, Elizabeth. Congrats on turning 12.... only one year away from experiencing the joys of being a teenager and PG-13 movies...

Mary and Elizabeth (how gorgeous does she look?!)

      My sister and I are over 8 years apart. We were born in 2 completely different countries and have grown up in 2 completely different contexts but despite the situational and numerical differences between us, God has given her to me not only as an eternal sister but an eternal friend. I have been so lucky to watch the dynamic and interactions between my mother and her sisters and know that their relationship is the type I want to one day have with my sister. I definitely seems like there are leaps and bounds of differences between us now. She wrestles with the burdens of elementary school and I wrestle with the burdens of college. As different as they are, you have to admit they are also the same. Girls still cry over boys, cafeteria lunches still have an odd smell and there's always those trouble makers. Now, if only college had a scheduled recess....
     Elizabeth and I now live a few hundred miles apart, but she never fails to send me mail, emails, texts and countless phone calls. She knows I struggle with not picking up the phone syndrome so she has no problem calling me a second time... or third time... or tenth time... But that's what I love, she will spend hours trying to reach me because she loves me and wants to talk to me. 
     

Elizabeth and Dad

     I know she will read this very soon, as she is probably my number one fan and I want her to know that I love her very, very much. She is quickly blossoming into a very beautiful, intelligent, bubbly young woman. She has much learning to do but she is already ahead of many kids that I have met. Very soon when she is 20 and I am 28, there won't be much of a difference. If its anything that I have learned this year is that time flies... whether or not you're having fun and it doesn't stop for anything or anyone. The seeds we plant now, will blossom very soon. I hope and pray to plant the seeds of friendship in the relationship with my sister. 


I love you Elizabeth! Happy Birthday!