Ode To My sister on her 50th

Well, today is the day.  I can’t believe we are this old, but you will always be older, so I’m okay with that.

In honor of your birthday, since I can’t be with you to throw a huge party for you (and let’s face it, I probably wouldn’t even if you were next door), I have decided to write an “Ode to sister”… only it’s not really an “Ode” because I just looked it up and this certainly won’t be poetry and it most certainly will not be sung to you…  but still ….

In one’s life, we would hope that somehow, we have made a difference in the world, and though it may not be on a grand scale dear sister, you have made a difference in my world.

Thinking back, you probably set the model for my life.  You have always taken control, making it easier for me to just follow in your footsteps.  We didn’t always get along…. Polar opposites are we…  You are fastidious and I am fast out the door.

You have always aspired, and I have always expired

You had direction and I was like a buoy in the ocean floating to and fro, aimlessly bouncing around

You were great in school and I was great after school

You woke me up every day for school, or I’d still be in bed.

You did your catholic duties, the seven sacraments if you will, making mom and dad proud while I ditched the catholic faith before they could confirm me

You went to college and I went to work

Many of my firsts in life were  because of you, first time ditching, first time hiding in the trunk of a car to escape the bouncer,  first arrest in Newport at 14 (okay..not REALLY an arrest but still put in our place), first and only time being pawned for beer with a dead watch, first spring break in Palm Springs, First bike brigade, first toilet papering, first pudding fight behind Dads back, first concerts… the list goes on and on….

Suffice it to say, you have always been there for me…  Even though you are half way around the world, you helped raise my kids and even helped keep my marriage together.  You have raised amazing children and you are still awe-inspiring with your many marathons, your continued education, both academically and physically.  You are non stop.

I’m happy to say I’m the yin to your yang in that I stop all the time… You are welcome for that.  Only I don’t think you realize how you have inspired me so much over the course of our lives together.

I know we didn’t always get along, but know that I was always watching you.  Always admiring your strengths that were my weaknesses.  You have always taken Dad’s words and lived by them, following what he suggested…. where I think he got tired of trying to make me listen (cringing as I write with my now red head in tow)…..

When you left for Norway, I wasn’t sure what would happen.  And when you got pregnant right away, I feared I would never see my nephew, or worse yet, that he wouldn’t speak English.  Fast forward 20 something years and I’m pretty sure your five children are a bit better at English than you….and they are closest to my heart despite the distance

You have always been very good to share your family with us, and making sure that mom and I travel regularly.  You are sneaky that way.  I never would have left the states if you  not for you.

It’s hard to say who I would be without you.  You have literally helped guide me through life and even caused me to be brave, when I would have rather curled into a ball and hidden from the world.  You compliment me time and again, only I don’t think you realize you were the wind beneath my wings and a large portion responsible for who I am!

I am thankful for the faith you have had in me all these years.  I’m thankful for the ear you have lent me time and again…  You have always been there.

On your 50th birthday, know you made a difference here.  In my brain, in my life and in my heart!  You get my crazy better than anyone and I’m forever grateful to you, my beautiful sister, Mother Earth…Mo!

Happy Birthday!
Cat