We've Come a Long Way, Baby!

We interrupt our regularly-scheduled blog posting to bring you a special birthday message.

Since Deni came along before I celebrated my first birthday, she’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. We dressed alike and did everything together. As a big sister, though, it was my job to torment her often. It was a responsibility I did not take lightly. Fortunately for Deni (but not so much for Karen), she didn’t end up being the sister whose leg I broke after pushing her from the swing set (that is an entirely different story about cruel and unusual punishment). Nevertheless, during our childhood years, sibling rivalry played a huge part in our co-existence. There was many a birthday when Deni would proudly declare we were the same age for 12 days, until I was quick to point out the obvious. She may have turned six (or seven or eight), but I was six (or seven or eight) and a half, by golly!

After many years of contention, our bickering, fashion sense, and lives went in separate directions. We’ve never been on the same page, and even now are often not reading the same book, but nonetheless respect one another’s choices and are supportive when we need to be. I’d like to think we get along better now than we ever did. Who woulda thunk it?

Yes, we’re a lot older and a bit wiser, but I still gotta say it. You may have turned 50, but I’m 50 and 353/365! (I do much better with fractions now than I did when I was six or seven or eight.) Even so, Deni, I wish you the happiest of birthdays with much love. Welcome to the club!