Nine Years Later...

On April 1st, 1998, my parents told us that we were adding to our family. My brothers and I were thrilled. [This is not facetious at all--we all were so eager to have another baby sibling.] All my life, I had wanted a sister. My aunt likes to tell the story of John's birth and my reaction to it. On November 22nd, 1988, when I was three and a half, my parents called to say that we had a new baby brother. My aunt Lucy relayed the information to me, and--in her account--I said, "Oh, that's good." I turned and walked down the hall, and she heard me say in a soft voice, "But I really wanted a sister."

Nine years and 364 days later, my most genuine wish for my life was fulfilled--I got a sister. A sister who is nine years old and who is becoming an amazing human being. A sister who wants to be a veterinarian. A sister who requests the Eagles out of my cd case. A sister who is sitting in the living room with me right now, watching my favorite tv show from when I was her age.

A sister who is just like me in WAY too many ways. A sister who always wants to see me, just as much as I always wanted her. My baby sister, who is not so much a baby anymore.

Wow.