In Her Birthday

Jen-a-ben,

I don't know if there is possibly a post long enough, or words deep enough to describe everything that I'm feeling on this 16th birthday of yours. From the beginning, we've been more like twins than sisters. Remember all those matching outfits we would always get?

Whenever I have a problem, I can come talk to you, knowing that you'll give both advice and sympathy. I know that you understand the deepest parts of me, and sometimes I wish you didn't, because you can see right through anything I try to pull.

But I wouldn't change the relationship we have for anything. We can talk for hours, and yet you can tell when something's wrong without me saying anything.

By the way, I think this is my favouritest picture of you.... EVER.

You are my accountability partner and my best friend. (and I swear that you always will have the cutest baby pictures out of all of us)

I was once talking to Mom and she said, "The right person in our family got sick." Not that I would ever wish that on you again, but God knew who could handle that situation. Although many things happened, you allowed them to shape you and mold you into what you are today instead of becoming bitter and enclosed. Even while you were going through it, I remember you saying, "Maybe someday, what I'm going through can help someone else." And I am so proud that I can be known as your sister. You have an amazing compassion for the sick and the ability to see the long term even when you're feeling down. The littlest things matter to you, and you're always on the lookout for someone in need of a friend, regardless of whether you'll get anything out of it.

You're always giving.. giving advice, giving hugs, giving tickle fights, giving money, giving baking. We are so different, but I don't begrudge you the hours you spend playing in the kitchen. After all, I get to eat what you make! You don't care when people do, or don't, notice what you do. You're a servant, and I'm often shown up by the things you think up to do for others. Sometimes I think, "Woah, isn't that going over the edge? Won't that be awkward? They won't expect that!" But you're teaching me a different kind of service. A service that pushes boundaries into the uncomfortable and awkward because you care and you will go beyond the normal/expected to do the greater and the better.

Although I know you've been the more vocal out of the two of us in regards to the distance between us next year, I'm going to miss you horribly. Perhaps more than I think I will. I'll miss the times when you "intruded" when I was on the computer and just sat in my room doing your thing, or came and sat down next to me while I was reading a book and forced me to talk, or the nights when we would sit side by side on my bed and watch the cartoon version of the Avengers, or.... the list goes on and on.

I'm so incredibly proud of all that you've become and all that you are going to become. God is doing some incredible stuff through you, and I know that His plan for you goes beyond even my wildest wishes for you. I'm so proud that I can be known as your sister.

Your "Tisty"