My sister

I know not everyone is as fortunate as I am to have a good relationship with their siblings.  And no, it’s not like I fell out of the womb idolizing my sister.  That took at least until I was out of diapers.  I think.  It’s hard to remember.

But idolize my sister I do, and here are a few of the reasons why.

• Whenever there is a pet around, she narrates what it does in a goofy accent.  Typically cats are Russian (I think because of the Russian Blue we had growing up), and dogs are a hybrid between Goofy and fictional “hillbilly” voice.

 I believe I smell some milk.  Oh yes, there is definitely milk in this vicinity.  I wish I had hands to open the cabinet and get out a bowl, then get the milk and pour it in.  But I do not.  I believe I will attack this piece of fuzz to express my frustration!

I sure would like it if you threw the ball for me.  Could you please throw the ball for me?  It would be ever so much fun.  Or you could pet me if you like.  Or maybe I will just lay down here.  Hold on, let me walk in a circle first.  And another circle.  Okay, one more.  Alright, now I can lay down.

•  When I was little, when we were at McDonald’s, she would give me the pickles off her hamburger.  The day she started giving her pickles to her now-husband, I knew I was in trouble.  (Don’t make that dirty, people.)

• The summer after she graduated from high school, we had just moved to a different state.  Neither of us had any friends yet.  And despite our 8-year difference in ages, she let me follow her around, hang out by the pool, sleep in her room, and generally pester her until she left for college. 

• I love hearing her laugh.  On occasions of extreme laughter, she goes into this high pitched, hysterical laugh that I think dogs find annoying.  But I smile just thinking about it.

• She collects poorly translated items – usually toys -- from dollar stores.  Because they are funny.  My favorite is the Smart Board, which instructed you to “hold pen erectly” to write on it.

•  I credit a lot of my spectacular taste in music to her.  Which is not really much of a stretch, because it certainly wasn't my parents.  We survived road trips with Julio Iglesias and Neil Diamond. 

• She reads more than I do, and that’s saying something.

• She is a wonderful mother and has a meaningful, loving relationship with her husband.

So, she's practically perfect in every way.  Like Mary Poppins.  Except more awesome.  And I will stop bragging now.  :)