Me, brenda, pahoo es

How do people make it through life without a sister? 

~Sara Corpening

I've asked myself this question so many times and always felt a twinge of guilt that TG doesn't have a sister, even though she's got two great brothers.

Because I truly can't imagine how different, how empty and downright dull my life would have been without my big sister in it.

In the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips. 

~Author Unknown

Brenda added drama and conflict to my life (fighting over the state of our bedroom)… enriched it with literature (sharing her books with me, like Swiss Family Robinson and Pollyanna and Jane Eyre)… expanded my world (taking me to museums, the zoo and movies I probably shouldn't be seeing)… and gave me a great soundtrack (exposing me to the best from the 60's and 70's.)

Me, brenda colorado s
Sisters function as safety nets in a chaotic world simply by being there for each other. 

~Carol Saline

Well, she was certainly there for me. If I ever had a problem, I knew she'd be right by my side, no matter how much I'd irritated her seconds before.

The mildest, drowsiest sister has been known to turn tiger if her sibling is in trouble. 

~Clara Ortega

Oh, here's another good one that truly applies to Brenda and me…

When sisters stand shoulder to shoulder, who stands a chance against us? 

~Pam Brown

You don't want to test that, believe me. It could get ugly. We're formidable.

Donnie, me, brenda s

That being said, we're not just alike. Sure, we both like reciting Little Boy Blue and watching old movies. We share the same taste in books (just about anything) and enjoy visiting museums, no matter how small. 

But she's always been a 'dress' person. A girly-girl. I'm jeans or shorts, definitely a tom-boy. She knew all about coloring hair and curlers. I'm totally hair-inept.

I tend to make mountains out of mole hills while she refuses to even acknowledge mountains exist.

Brenda wheelchair s

She truly has the most positive outlook of anyone I've ever known. 

Brenda gs s
Sisters are different flowers from the same garden. 

~Author Unknown

By example, Brenda taught me about love and acceptance, about appreciating the eccentricities that each of us on this earth has, about the importance of family connections, about looking on the bright side. We had our share of spats and arguments, but as I grew they dwindled, dried up and drifted away into childhood memories and stories.

An older sister is a friend and defender – a listener, conspirator, a counsellor and a sharer of delights.  And sorrows too. 

~Pam Brown

She doesn't hesitate to correct me if my facts are a little awry when I relate those memories and stories here on my blog, or I misspell a word. But as she's my biggest fan and cheerleader in whatever I attempt to do, I know not to take it as criticism. She's just burdened with a better memory and writing/spelling skills than I have!

A sister smiles when one tells one's stories – for she knows where the decoration has been added. 

~Chris Montaigne

She turned 60 today, a number that is hard for me to grasp because in my eyes and heart, she hasn't aged a day in my life.

Brenda prom s

I didn't get to wish her a happy birthday face-to-face this year as I did last year. In fact, it's been months since I've seen her sweet face in person. 

But I called her this morning and now I'll wish her a happy birthday here (I know she'll read it eventually, even though right now she's off gambling in Louisiana in honor of this milestone year. Last I heard she was winning! I'm glad she's having fun and celebrating big!)

So once again, happy birthday, my beautiful sister! I didn't always appreciate you like I should when I was little, but now I thank God, Mama and Daddy every day for blessing my life with you! Have fun and I hope you cleaned out the casino! 

Sister to sister we will always be,
A couple of nuts off the family tree.

~Author Unknown

And proud of it! I love you!

There is no better friend than a sister.  And there is no better sister than you. 

~Author Unknown

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26 responses to “Portrait of a Sister”

  1. Joanna Follis Avatar

    Where here in Louisiana did she go to gamble? I hope she had a lucky day.

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  2. Lady Fi Avatar

    Awww… what a lovely post! Happy Birthday to your sister! I have two younger sisters (and a brother) so I know what you mean!

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  3. Walker Avatar

    Nice tribute. And great photo of the 2 of you now.
    I feel like I’ve missed something as the oldest of 5. My sister, the youngest, is 15 years younger than me and we were not terribly close until our adult years and now we’re on opposite coasts!

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  4. Fran Mingo Avatar
    Fran Mingo

    I always enjoy reading your blog, but I loved this tribute to Brenda…and loved the pictures. I turn 60 next year, and can’t think of anything I’d rather do than spend it with my sisters! (Well, with my husband,too, but I get to be with him all the time!)

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  5. Gail Avatar

    What a beautiful birthday post for your sister! Enjoyed seeing the photos from your youth, then ending with the recent one. Two beauties, I say! Hope Brenda keeps winning!!!

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  6. beth Avatar

    happy birthday to you sister….and OH I LOVE the old photos !

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  7. beth Avatar

    oops….that should be YOUR sister πŸ™‚

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  8. Bella Casa Avatar

    Nice tribute to you sister.
    Jan @ BellaCasa

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  9. Brenda Nowicke Avatar

    We went to Sam’s Town in Shreveport and I had a very lucky day!

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  10. Brenda Nowicke Avatar

    I enjoyed the pictures, too! I hadn’t seen them in decades. I still have that beaded handbag I carried to the senior prom. And I LOVE my baby sister!

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  11. Brenda Nowicke Avatar

    Barb, I love everything about this post. You’re the best sister anyone could have and I love you more than words can express.

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  12. cynthia eloise Avatar

    you need some face to face time. life is to short and sisters are precious. my sister is much older then i but we have always been close, she now has alzheimers. i’m not sure how long she will remember me. visit your sister now.

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  13. Brenda Nowicke Avatar

    Face to face is wonderful, but living 3 hours apart makes it difficult sometimes, especially since Barb is so involved and busy these days. We talk on the phone almost every day and see each other when we can. When I had hip surgery in March, Barb put her life on hold and came to take care of me.
    I’m so sorry to learn of your sister’s alzheimers. I will keep you both in my prayers.

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  14. Debbie Jarvis Avatar
    Debbie Jarvis

    This is so sweet! I Love the pictures as well. Sister’s are so special and I am very blessed with four. Happy Birthday Brenda!

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  15. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Wow, Debbie, I didn't know you had four sisters!! Yes, they are very special!

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  16. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I agree with you! Life is too short. The past few months have been tough, but I'm looking forward to a weekend at the coast with her in just another month. Can't wait! I'm so sorry about your sister. Hold those memories close!

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  17. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I'm so glad you liked it! I hope that made up for having the one on death pop up on your birthday morning! I love you, too!!

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  18. Rae Sinor Avatar
    Rae Sinor

    Happy birthday Brenda…If you ever need a sister hug, I’m close…Just call and I’ll come! It won’t be as good as Barbara’s…but maybe it will hold you over! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Glad you’re feeling closer to your old self and CONGRATULATIONS on a successful gambling trip! I’ve given up gettin lucky!!! πŸ™‚ XOXO Beautiful Post Barb…as always. Your hearlfelt sentiments come thru and always make me tear up! Maybe I just miss my baby sister and wish me and my other sister were better together!!! LOVE YOU!

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  19. Pauline Avatar

    what a wonderful tribute – I’m going to share some of those sister quotes with my own siblings! Happy Birthday to your sis!

    Like

  20. Debbie B Avatar

    Happy Belated Birthday to your Sister! Barbara, what a wonderful tribute! This made me a bit homesick for my sister so I called her last night and talked for an hour!

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  21. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I'm so glad my post inspired you to call your sister!!

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  22. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Please do! I found them on Quote Garden – there were tons more!!

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  23. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Love you, too! Go see your baby sister and find a way to be good with your other one!! And thanks for offering to be there for mine πŸ™‚

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  24. Brenda Nowicke Avatar

    Awwww, thanks Rae! It’s nice to know a sisterly hug is close by. Barb and I are fortunate to be so close and I wish everyone could be as fortunate. xoxo

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  25. Jillsy Girl Avatar

    WOW…what a fantastic post and tribute to your sister! Happy Belated birthday Brenda! You two have a very special relationship. I, unfortunately, never had a sister only 3 brothers. I cried when the last one was born! πŸ™‚ But, they’ve made up for all those awful childhood years when we fought like cats and dogs in our adult lives. But, even so, brothers can’t be compared to sisters. Although, now I do have several wonderful sister-in-laws!

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  26. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you for the sweet wishes to my sister. (Sorry I'm so late responding to this!) When you said you cried when your last brother was born, I laughed – my sister told my mom she'd scream if Mama had another boy and my mom said, "I will, too!" lol

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