Today is a GREAT day. It’s my sister’s Golden Birthday. November 16th. Except she did not just turn 16. She just turned…
Ah, what’s that expression?
I think it’s 40.
Over the hill.
Lordy, Lordy, Darby’s 40!
But she doesn’t look a day over 38. I would say 25, but I pretty much think all 25-year-olds look like kids at this stage of my life, so I will simply stick with the fact that she still looks like a lady in her 30s.
And who is this great 40-year-old lady with this wonderful name Darby?
Why, this woman is my Rocky Balboa. I really hope that’s not insulting.
Here. Let me explain.
My sister and I are 16 months apart in age.
If you have children, you understand. That’s close in age. So close, in fact, that at times you feel as if you have an extension of who you are. Almost like a twin.
Except, I am not sure she feels the same way. And this is why…
Before we returned to Poland, Darby and I were having a fabulous late-night chat. You see, my husband left for Poland a month before we did, so I had the immense privilege of living with my sister and her wonderful husband and fabulous kids. Which was also RIGHT next door to my amazing brother, his awesome wife and fantastic kids.
It truly was a dream month.
But back to my conversation…
My sister looked at me and said, “Do you remember all of those times you had to fight to wear makeup or high heels or pantyhose?”
“Do you remember all of those times you had to fight to go on a date or stay up late?”
“Do you remember all of those times you had to fight to drive a car or go to a movie with your friends?”
And I simply answered, “No.”
Because I don’t.
“Exactly.” She replied.
My sister. She is the eldest in our family. She was our Rocky Balboa. She entered the ring first and fought all of those battles for us.
And for Darby, they were battles.
For my brother, Casey, and I, they were simply victories.
So, to my sister. The one that turned 40 today, I just want to say…
I thank you.
I admire you.
And I love you.
Thank you for being the most amazing sister in the world. An example as a wife. A brilliant auntie. A stupendous daughter. And the most fabulous mother.
You are my Rocky. And I thank you for being ahead of me. Not just because you jumped in the ring for me, but because you have always been my steadfast fighter.
On your knees, before our awesome God, praying for me. For my life—in health and uncertainty. In my marriage. And for my children.
I will never forget when you told me that God spoke to you in a dream and said, “Brooke, God told me you would have another baby.”
And then we had Max. Miracle Max.
You, my sister, you are being celebrated a world away today because of a date that marks the birth of the start of your life here on earth.
But a world away, I will celebrate you. Not because of your birth—but because of your life.
Thank you, my sister.
Forever I thank you.
And, to end it all, “Yo, Adrienne!” Just because I couldn’t resist.
I love you, my Rocky.
Forever and always,
your B
***
Just for fun. In case you have never had the chance to read another rather emotionally charged battle we had. Except this time we were both in the boxing ring. The opponents? The other sister 😉 Enjoy a throwback blog posting. xo b
Knockdown Drag out Fight in Costco
And 2 Makes Crazy 