In trouble

I am in trouble.

Potentially serious trouble.

You see, Friday was my sister's birthday.

My one and only sister. My beloved, best friend.

Beloved Auntie and The Wee One.

Why on Earth has there been no birthday post yet, Melissa?

Well, you see - she was supposed to come up on Sunday for our annual Memorial Day BBQ, and I thought I would take some photos of her and her wonderful children in order to craft a really memorable post.

Unfortunately, she couldn't make it.

So now, my birthday post is not only embarrassingly late, but severely lacking in the "see, these wonderful photos certainly make up for the belatedness" department.

Alas, I'll carry on.

Ten Things I Learned From My Big Sister:

* How to cook. Chicken Marsala, Homemade Mac'n'cheese, Bread. If I make it well, it's more than likely she makes it better.

* There is no perfect purse. But there is a perfect purse for any given situation.

* Always drive a stick-shift. Because it makes you awesome-r that's why.

* It's okay to be right. Even if that makes someone else wrong.  You see, my sister is right, a lot. You would think that would make her annoying, but it doesn't. It just makes her smart.

* When you are trying to pick your baby sister up from the train station, and you can't seem to pick her out of the crowd, instead of stopping the car and looking for her, just drive slowly and ask her to, "Jump up and down." Because she is your baby sister, and she'll do whatever you say, she will indeed begin to obediently hop in the midst of a sea of fellow commuters.

*  Read everything.

* Watch PBS. It makes you smarter.

* Parenting is not an endeavor to be undertaken lightly. Do your homework. Stick to your guns. Listen to opinions but make up your own mind. Don't do what's popular, do what's right for your child.
And she does make some lovely children...

The Littles.

Big sister to the Littles, with the Wee One.

* Trust no one. Except your sister. http://www.snopes.com/

* Sometimes life is hard. And unfair. Do the right thing. Even if there are easier paths to take.

Sharing a quiet moment with her oldest on her wedding day.

Oh Happy Birthday, Big Sis.

You are my inspiration. My strength. My role model.

You are who I want to be when I grow up.

I cannot wait to be old and cranky in a nursing home with you.

I have been told that my standards are too high. How could they not be, when I have been looking up to you my whole life?

Rock on, Sistah-friend.

Happy Birthday.