And a Happy Birthday to my Sister, Kelly Ann!

Fifty-three years ago today I got up for my last day of sixth grade at Fruitville Elementary in Sarasota, FL.  My mom was standing at the stove stirring fudge she was making for my end-of-school party, counting her labor pains as she was stirring.  I helped get my other two sisters ready for school, and we all got on the school bus with excitement, hoping it would be the day we finally got a brother!

My grandmother called me at school later in the day to tell me that we had another sister.  I had a moment of keen disappointment; but I was the oldest, after all, and had the good sense to know that I wasn't supposed to be disappointed--unlike my sisters who wailed that they still wanted a brother instead when I went out on the playground to tell them.

Little did I know that this blonde-haired, blue-eyed angel would become my little pet!  I loved dressing her up in ruffles and doing her hair and taking her with me on the Kensington Park VW bus to Ringling Shopping Center to give her 10-cent rides on the mechanical horse outside of the Rexall Drug Store.

After another sister, we finally got our brother 4 years later; and I'm so very thankful for the siblings God gave me!  But today, here's to you, Kelly--a great friend and kindred spirit as well as a sister to be proud of!  It's been fun sharing grandparenthood with you this year; and, as you said, glad they're a boy and a girl so they could be the uncontested cutest of each!!