Today is my big sister’s birthday.
There are 5 years between Cheryl and I.
Growing up, 5 years is a huge span for girls.
When I was 5 and not even in kindergarten, she was entering 5th grade.
When I was entering 5th grade, she was studying her driver’s manuel.
When I was studying my driver’s manuel, she was a 20 year old adult embarking on her own life, apart from Mom and Dad and little brothers and sister.
When I was 20, she was 25.
And suddenly,
Without any warning at all,
We were peers.
And we stood in each others’ weddings,
We had babies close to each other,
We made road trips together,
What started as a big girl with a little sister,
morphed
into two women with a shared past
forming a friendship that transcends age differences,
and geography
(the two of us last May with Grandma)
and can only be described as….Sisters.
I love this photo. All five of us kids in one room. With a 13 year age span, not an easy feat. Ronnie and Ken are looking at the camera. Tim is probably just trying so hard to be patient for the cake, Cheryl’s gaze is in transition, and I am obviously watching my big sister, watching for my cue, as I always remember doing as a little girl.
I adored you then, Cheryl, and I adore you now.
Happy Birthday.
I love that last picture as well. it tells so many stories. How nice that your sister changed into your friend. what a wonderful transition.
Lovely post Linda. I wrote about my sisters – http://growingyoungereachday.wordpress.com/2011/03/27/and-the-best-friends-of-all-are-sisters/ – and continually add them into posts. My sisters are my closest friends even though we live (literally) worlds apart.
Judith