March 3, 2008
For My Sister, In Honor of Her 23rd Birthday
My sister, Rachel, and I are six years apart. Because of our age difference, we seldom practically never got along.
Between us in the birth order is our brother Nathan, two years older than Rachel. Nate and Rae have always been close, and for the first six years of her life, my sister was the baby of the family.
When we were kids, I considered her to be the spoiled brat, the one who always got her way. When our brother Frankie was born, he claimed the “baby” title. But there was still that sisterly rivary amongst us and I usually ignored Rachel because I was the oldest, and thought that was a good enough reason.
I don’t even recall why we disliked each other so. Perhaps because I was entering junior high when she was in first grade. It wouldn’t have been “cool” to hang out with a 7-year old. When Rachel and Nathan were playing sports outside, I was more interested in clothes and make-up. When Rachel entered seventh grade, I had already graduated high school and was heading off to college.
Some of my resentment toward her was because she often snooped in my room, spied on me and reported everything I did wrong to Mom and Dad.
“Mooom! I found cigarettes in Dana’s backpack!”
“Mooooom! Dana didn’t clean her room and she’s with her friends!”
I know she was just doing these things to get my attention, to get me to notice and pay attention to her, but it still pissed me off.
Over the years we’ve learned to get a long, sometimes. We still have the occasional disagreement, but I love that girl.
She’s tough. She doesn’t take any shit from anyone. She’s got a hilarious personality. She’s a National Guard member who may even be deployed to Iraq next year. She was Maid of Honor at my wedding. She’s my son’s Godmother. She’s my sister.
Of course, like most siblings, we have our differences. She’s into partying, I’ve given it up for wifedom and motherhood. She loves movies like Fight Club and Kill Bill, I’m more the Failure to Launch and Hope Floats kind of gal. She crushes on Brad Pitt, I’m more in love with Matthew McConaughey. She’s Imari and I’m Happy Heart. She’s a rebel, I’m not-so-much anymore.
Even if we disagree all the time, she’s someone I care deeply about. My life would be pretty fricken’ boring without her in it! If anything we’ll only grow closer as time goes on, because we know that sisters always have each other.
Happy Birthday, little sister.
Posted by Dana @ 2:23 PM • Relative Chaos
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March 3rd, 2008 at 5:04 PM, Liz Says:
Aaaand, if I had a baby sister, I bet she’d be a lot like you and I’d be very happy for it ;o)
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:49 PM, Dana Says:
Awww! Thank you, Liz!
If I had an older sister, I would totally want it to be you!
March 4th, 2008 at 12:47 PM, Believer in Balance Says:
What a beautiful tribute to your sister!!! I’m so envious. I wish I had sister. I look at my three girls and think how lucky they are to have each other. Sometimes they don’t feel so lucky though! A lot of bickering lately between the older two!