When mom and dad don't understand, a sister always will. ~Author UnknownI can remember the day that Dad took us to the hospital to meet our new little sister. I really was excited to think I was going to have a new little playmate around in the house. After all, Joe was no fun to play with. He was only four and all he ever wanted to do was play with balls. Basketballs, baseballs, footballs....balls, balls, balls. You get my point. So the idea of having a little sister who may want to play Barbies and dress up was really exciting. I could not wait.
So once we got to the hospital Dad said we had to pick a name for the new baby. He threw out a couple ra
ndom ones (I even think Sarah was one of them) but I did not like any of them at all. When we finally got in to see the baby for the first time, Dad said "How about Lynn"? And I said, "Yes....Lynn is perfect"! And so...that is how the story goes (well for the most part). Lynn Marie was officially named that day. And to be honest with you, she really did look like a "Lynn". I could not imagine her as anything else. She was soooooo tiny and her little cheeks were so pink. I could vividly remember that one detail. It's funny because Lynn had rosy cheeks for years as a child. And even today she has a glow to her as well.
Lynn was tiny as a baby and I can remember whenever holding her that she seemed like a baby doll. Secretly I thought she was my own baby doll at times! I loved having a little sister and we had a great time growing up together. We would play school together, dress up together and do all the things that sisters were supposed to do. But as life goes....kids grow older and interests change. I got to a point where little sisters weren't so cool and I know those years were hard for Lynn. We didn't get to spend as much time together as she would have liked and I feel bad for that. She reminds me often that I let her down. But....I work hard today to try to make up for those years and I will work even harder to make our future even better.
Life now with Lynn is wonderful. I have been blessed to have had opportunities i
n the past 10 years to be in situations where Lynn and I have either lived close together or been able to see each other often. There is no doubt that I consider her my closest friend. To me the years between us mean nothing...there are just there. I look up to her for advice all the time as I tell her that she is the wise one in our relationship. She has such an old soul and giving heart. I am fortunate that we are able to be so close.
This past January, Lynn married a wonderful man by the name of Michael Beahm. She could not have picked a better match. I am thrilled to think that these two have a life ahead of them full of wonderful adventures and surprises. I look forward to seeing all their experience in life. I hope along the way Michael will allow me to snag Lynn from time to time to have some quality sister time! But if not (which of course I know he will).....I will know she is only a phone call or text away!
I love you Lynny! Happy Birthday!
JAR
Each night as I lay down to sleep I close my eyes and begin to say my prayers softly. This week I can't help but give more reflection as we begin the Christmas season. One could say that this is a difficult time of the year for me. It is hard for me to get in the "spirit" and even harder for me to tolerate the frills of it all at times. However I will pause and reflect a little more closely this year due to all that has occurred in the world.
