She's my oldest sister. Six years separate the two of us. And thirty years ago it felt more like a separation of 15 years. While she was in high school doing her cheerleading and track thing, driving The Booger [a tank of a car handed down by my grandparents and lovingly dubbed with its nickname because of it's attractive 1970's color], I was worried about figuring out how to spend my quarter at United Dairy. Two boxes of Boston Baked Beans or a box of Boston Baked Beans and box of Lemon Heads. When she went to college, I was only excited because it meant I got my own room [looking back, that probably wasn't a very kind thing to do]. And when she got married, bless her heart for having her 15 year old sister as a bridesmaid.
We were worlds apart.
Thank goodness for time....and her grace. Lord, thank you for her grace. She has forgiven and overlooked and forgotten my screw ups more than any one sister should.
Now, we are told there's no mistaking....we are sisters! For heaven's sakes, she doesn't pass up an opportunity to make people guess who is older [yes, she often wins].
Yep, we are sisters. People tell us we are so much alike. We laugh the same. We can finish each other's sentences. Her kids confuse our voices if they're not paying attention. And I've lost count of the number of times we've shown up dressed in similar outfits.
There's no doubt we are sisters.
But let's be clear.
She's not like me.
Oh no.
She's so much more.....
She's unbelievably patient with our family. All of its nuanced, quirky and strange family ways and she rolls with it.
She's the connector. "Have you talked to mom?" "Have you talked to Amy?" "Have you talked to Holly?" "Have you talked to Grandma?"
She's has an innate ability to read people.
She's a wonderful leader and has the ability to build trust with others.
She's brave. She's incredibly, incredibly brave. Not once, but twice, this once shy, bashful and quiet sister went out on a limb and changed the trajectory of her entire career. First, she launched herself into a very successful sales career. And now, she is preparing to launch her own business. So many others, would have folded their cards. Brace yourselves Northwest Ohio, she's going to be a ROCK STAR!
She gets me. When you can finish your thought with, "well, you know what I mean. I mean, I don't know what I mean, but you do" and she replies, "yeah, I get it.". Well, she gets me. And that, right here, well that's priceless.
She's more sensitive and empathetic [I know, I know. I can hear all of you now. "Well, that's not hard!" Exactly! But here's where YOU should give thanks. Because if it weren't for her empathy and influence on me....well, let's just say you probably would've ditched me years ago as a friend.]
She's an amazing mother and a devoted wife. Completely selfless. She and Bruce have raised two amazing young adults.
Oh, my sister Julie is so much more. I could go on and on. If you haven't met her, you really should. And if you already know her, well say a little prayer of thanks for her today.
Julie, you've taught me so much about leadership and courage, love and marriage, crucial conversations, trusting your gut and always, always reminding me blood is thicker than water.
I'm so wonderfully blessed by our sisterhood.
May this next year be full of rich relationships, enough trials to make your grow, sweet successes to keep you reaching, and the support of all of us who love you to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
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