Would You Like to Meet My Sister Cindy?

Well, if you do, you'll have to settle for this blog because she doesn't have one of her own (in fact, she barely checks email outside of work). I talk to her on the phone nearly every week (for hours sometimes ... like last Saturday). I vacation with her often (Disneyworld '07, Disneyland '08). But I still miss my li'l sis. We live with a continent between us, but a lifetime of memories bridge the gap with each heartbeat. She's my staunchest ally, greatest cheerleader, and loyal sidekick regardless of the routine. No matter what life throws our way we come out on top with our arms wrapped around each other.

We may share little similarity in taste and style, but we go together like Pooh & Tigger, Martin & Lewis, ketchup & mustard. You won't find us bickering over the last dribble of sweet tea (hers!) or spoonful of lima beans (mine!). While I potter around in an english cottage filled with books and chintz and teapots, she lives with sleek black leather, lacquer-red walls, and an ipod. I dig in the gardens and gather armfuls of roses; she avoids the dirt and enjoys manicures. While I drive a king-sized SUV or crew-cab pickup (how else does one transport all those kids and HARPS and garden goodies?), she sports around in a petite SUV that gets GREAT MILEAGE. (Did I mention she's the thriftiest gal I've ever met? Also unlike me. ) I have five kids; she has five cats. And on and on the list goes.

But ... our "complimentary" personalities fit tightly into an embrace that has carried us through life on a lark filled with laughter and laced with tears. If I need her I just call and I'm always "on call" for her. We've climbed mountains sheer-faced with challenge, danced above the tree line hidden by the fluffy clouds of wonder and enchantment, slogged through the muckiest of valleys, and run like the wind when needed. She picked up and moved a continent away nearly 10 years ago to find the life she always dreamed of. She has a powerful position with a great company and an adorable husband. (She married full-blooded Italian descent; I chose full-blooded German roots -- and we're a couple of rag-tag mixes of this-and-that.) When you mix it all together and throw it in the air it rains down happiness and laughter and endorphins galore when we get together.

In the tune box at right I have added two "Soundtracks" for our life. The first "Music Box Dancer" became a smash hit just prior to my departure for a high school summer exchange trip to Norway. I loved that little tune. My sister missed me dreadfully that summer and every time this music box song came on the radio she would cry. I also have one of those "make-me-cry" reactions when I hear Helen Reddy's "Candle on the Water" from Disney's Pete's Dragon. I sang that to my sister many a time as kids and I still stand by it: "I'll be your candle on the water, my love for you will always burn ..."

In my nostalgic mood I scrolled through some old pics. We have very little record of our childhood, but what I have speaks volumes of our bond. Hope you enjoy this little peek into the past. ; )