This post has nothing to do with yarn or knitting or crocheting–it is something I wrote for my sisters and why I am thankful for them in my lives:

In past years, I’ve never given more than a few minutes’ thought to what I’m thankful for on the actual day of Thanksgiving—partly because I’m a fairly thankful person all throughout the year, and I know that God has given me many blessing that I try not to take for granted. But this year, I’ve been thinking a lot about how thankful I am for the miracle of life. Even more than that, I’ve been thinking about how I’m thankful I have my two sisters.

(LtoR: Me, Heather, Wendy; Thanksgiving 2008)

I’m the oldest in my family, and I’ve always felt that it was my duty to somewhat watch out for my sisters, much to their disdain sometimes…I can remember Heather and Wendy telling me numerous times over the years that they already had one mother and didn’t need another one. Despite this tendency of mine, the three of us grew up close—we were each other’s playmates, partners-in-crime, rivals, confidantes, friends, memory-keepers. Although we’ve been fairly close through the years, I’ve never been the best at expressing my feelings towards them (and yelling in the heat of an argument doesn’t count). I’m the type of person that keeps my emotions tucked inside and can sometimes only find a way of letting them out by writing, so I thought I would write a little something about why I am so thankful for my sisters.

First of all, I’m glad Heather is alive. I know this sounds cliché, but I truly am grateful that God didn’t take her away from me. When Heather was diagnosed with cancer in April, I thought I might lose her and I couldn’t bear that thought. Many times all I could pray was “God, don’t take her away from me. I don’t know what I would do without her.” I don’t have any memories of my life without Heather; we are the closest in age, only twenty-two months apart. She caught up to me height-wise by the time she was two and I was four, and many strangers thought we were twins growing up, especially since we dressed alike most the time until I reached kindergarten. Heather continued to grow, even when I didn’t, and I’ve watched her become a lovely young woman. I have to admit that she’s prettier than me, and I would be lying if I didn’t say I envy her sometimes. If I had to use one word to describe Heather, it would be “beautiful.” She has a way of doing her hair and wearing makeup and perfume and putting together an outfit that I cannot even comprehend. But it’s more than just her outward appearance—she has an inner beauty that surpasses that of her exterior. She’s talkative and humorous and fiery and strong-willed and a fountain of joy. The thing I’ve learned the most from Heather is that life is meant to be beautiful.

Second, I’m glad Wendy was born. When Wendy moved out at the beginning of this year, I felt like a piece of me left with her. Although I hate to admit that we have never truly been as close as me and Heather are, I still couldn’t bear the thought of her not being in my life. She’s my baby sister and I have a different bond with her that I can’t explain in words. I think part of it is because I can actually remember going to the hospital to bring her home for the very first time. My mom always tells the story that as soon as I found out that she had had a girl, my reply was “A Wendy Kay, just what I always wanted!” I can remember Wendy as a baby, even before she learned to talk…and I remember after she learned to talk, cause she hasn’t stopped since. Although Heather wasn’t as fond of this new sister in the early years as I was, she soon grew to like her, and we made a little trio. Wendy is the baby of the family, so it’s always been hard for me to watch her get older. I used to think about what she would be like when she grew up, and I must admit that I dreaded the fact that she would change. To my surprise, though, she’s still the same in many ways. If I had to use one word to describe Wendy, it would be “personality.” Wendy has always had a confidence about her that I could never possess; I don’t know how she does it and many times I wish I could be more outgoing like her. She’s vivacious and spontaneous and self-assured and goofy and always sees the best in people. The thing I’ve learned the most from Wendy is that life isn’t meant to be so serious all the time.

I couldn’t imagine my life without Heather and Wendy, and I’m so glad that God has brought us all back together, has kept our trio whole. My mom has a saying and it goes something like this: “Parents and relatives will pass away, lovers and husbands will come and go, children and grandchildren may come later down the road, but no one will ever know you from cradle to grave like your sister.” I wanted to share this with everyone, including my sisters, because life is precious!

I love you both very much, more than these words could express!