Becoming a Teenager

I don’t know why I’m getting so emotional looking at all these pictures.  I guess it’s because most of them are from my brother Jeff and it’s hitting me that I missed out on so much of my little sister Sarah’s life.  Actually, I missed out on a whole lot of years with my six siblings because I lived all over the country and didn’t get to spend much time with them.

If there were one thing I could do over in my life, it’d definitely be to have spent more time with my family instead of being so consumed with my job.  My mom sent an email to me and my siblings this week and in it she said “…we have so much to be thankful for! Soak up the special relationships all you can, while you can.” I wish I’d have listened to this advice when I was younger.

The reason I’m going through these pictures is because today is my sister Sarah’s birthday.  Sarah was born on April 6, 2000, which means she turns 13 today.  My littlest sister is a teenager.  I’m not ready for her to be inching so close to adulthood.  Not one bit.

I remember the day that Sarah was born.  I remember that I wore black pants and a red sweater.  I remember not knowing what the gender of my new sibling was going to be, but when I opened the car door to go to the hospital a little “it’s a girl” sticker fell out of my car.  I picked it up and wondered if it was a sign because I'd never seen it before.  I remember reaching for the volume dial in the car to crank up Maria Maria by Santana (still love that song) and I remember that I couldn’t get to the hospital fast enough.

And then there she was. My little sister wrapped tightly in a baby blanket smelling like only a brand new baby does and sleeping so peacefully.  And Sarah was the start of “the littles.”

In my family we have four big kids (me, Jeff, Brian and Beth) and then three little kids, who we older kids refer to as “the littles.”  Sarah was the first of the littles to come along and then came Charlie and then Sammy.  Most people think it’s crazy that I’ve got six siblings.  I think it’s pretty awesome.  Holidays are always interesting and there’s always a lot to talk about and catch up on.

I wish I could stall time and keep the kids little a little bit longer.  But I can’t.   And I’m struggling with this. But I’ll put that aside for today and instead celebrate that Sarah is turning into a beautiful young woman.  I’m looking forward to seeing what Sarah turns into.  She’s got such a huge and caring heart.  I think she’s going to grow up and be a woman who takes care of others whether through the health industry or some type of charitable organization. I think she’s going to make an excellent mom and I think she’s going to become a very good friend to me.

If you’re reading this, happy birthday Mae Head.  I’m more proud of you than you will ever know and I’m glad you were chosen to be my sister.