Happy National Siblings Day

I didn't know there was such a day as Happy National Siblings Day but yes there is and here we are.

I've been blessed with four older siblings. And yes I was an unplanned surprise (no comments here, we're just going to go with that)!

My oldest sister was 16 going on 17 and left home before I remembered her very much. I remember her visits as a little girl being a big ordeal. And then my sister, Mary Ann, moved back to our hometown to teach while I was in high school. I got to know my sister and enjoyed our relationship. It wasn't until later looking back that I appreciate the opportunity I had to get to know my oldest sister. Mary Ann reminds me so much of my mom that it brings me a lot of comfort to be around her and I call her when I really miss my mom. She is one of the strongest people I know and calm and level headed are her strongest points.

My second sister was 14 when I was born and again before I realized or remembered she was off to see the world. I remember my sister Carol being fun and coming home to pick me up from school and as she has been many times, been mistaken for my mom. I'm sure she didn't appreciate these times and I was oblivious to it. But I always took it as a compliment as I've always thought Carol to be the good looking one of the bunch! Carol is tenacious and a go-getter. She is a force!

Big brother, Dick, was always a kind and gentle force in my life. He is one of the most easy going people I know and he would do just about anything for anyone. He has one of the kindest hearts I've ever met. He has endured some tough times and I am in awe of his strength. He never minded taking his little sitter along, be it giving me a ride in the little red wagon or along on a date with his future wife. Dick helped set the bar high in how a man should treat a woman in my eyes.

Dean, my younger of two older brothers, he and I have been through a lot. I remember Dean tormenting and knowing how to push my buttons as a kid. And he would take my toys apart and never be able to get them back together correctly when we were kids. But Dean is one of the strongest guys I know. He knows how to work. Our tempers clashed on numerous occasions-it comes from both of us being redheads. But honestly I would not have wanted to go through the tough times that we did with anyone else. Dean is a workaholic but I have no doubt one of the best friends a person could ever ask for.

There they all are, in a nutshell. We've had our disagreements, fights, times of not speaking to one another but when times have been tough we've been there either right behind or silently supporting one another. We were all raised the same but yet turned out differently. Some of us are more like dad, some more like mom and maybe one of us a good mixture of both! Regardless they are my siblings and God put us in the same family and the way we are for a variety of reasons. I love them and wish them each a blessed and happy day.