Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Happy Birthday, Sister!

This girl is 18 today!!

18 years ago today, my 9 year old brother and my 14 year old self were sitting in the waiting room at our local hospital, waiting on news on the baby my mom was delivering. I was excited. And scared. Childbirth is scary when your old enough to realize just what is going on behind those doors, and it's your mom going through it.  Eric was excited, as he was SURE he was getting a brother.



Out came a nurse holding a tiny bundle in a  little white blanket.

"Do you guys want to see the baby?" she whispered.

We pretty much trampled over  her in our rush and she held IT up for us to see.

She couldn't tell us if IT was a boy or a girl, so our dad could come and tell us, which may be one of the meanest things you can do to a couple of excited kids, but I remember looking at this little bald being with big wide eyes staring back us, and I knew I had a sister.




I got up with her the first night home and Mom was recovering from surgery. I was totally in love with her from the moment she arrived, and I would just stare at her and hold her for hours. I dressed her up and hauled her around. She was my living baby doll.



Many many MANY times I've thanked God for her. Because he knew she was exactly what our family needed and what was to come.   She has a special relationship with my dad.  For most of her life, I've felt sorry for her, since I had a strong and well dad, and she was too young to remember him before he got sick.  But I've realized she came just when she was suppose to. I think Dad would have given up years ago with out her. She yells at him to keep going when he needs it most and sometimes hers is the only voice that can get through that very thick skull of his.



It's been amazing to watch her grow up, from a bald squalling baby, to a preschooler dragging her pink blanket in to class, to an dorky middle school-er, to a beautiful high school-er who tears up the basketball court.  Along the way, she became one of my very best friends.



Happy 18th Birthday, Katie Michelle!! I love you! And just remember...NOW--you can go to jail! HAHA!

4 comments:

Melanie said...

HAHA! Awesome post for her. .you should print it and frame it for her. .so she never forgets!! Happy birthday Michelle!

Crash said...

Awwwww! Very well said & heartfelt.....enjoyed the pics!!

Rhonda said...

Lovely post! Happy Birthday and best wishes to Michelle! :)

grandma robin said...

Sisters are a great place to form your first friendship.. I remember the blankie...Loretta made it...Happy Birthday Michelle