Sunday, December 30, 2007

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LINDA!


Today is my sister's birthday. I made her a chocolate cake with chocolate icing using our mother's fudge cake recipe. (I should have taken a picture of it, but forgot). Yesterday I drove to Pennsylvania to meet her for the afternoon and give her the cake and present. We had a great day - lunch, shopping at thrift stores, visiting my nieces, talking, talking, talking.

The older we get, the closer we get. I wish that you, dear bloggers, could have a relationship like this in your lives with one of your siblings. I can remember when I was a very little girl and Linda was born. I stayed with our Nana while Mom was in the hospital. In those days, people didn't have babies and come home in two days. I remember that Mom had to come home without Linda because my new sister had a life-threatening problem. She was born -Rh factor and had to have blood transfusions. I remember clearly Mom sitting on Nana's sofa crying. I was four years old. Dad was frantically looking for blood donors. I don't remember more details, but the new precious baby in our lives pulled through. I remember being allowed to go to the hospital and see her in her little incubator.

Linda was the one who knew everyone in the neighborhood. She organized backyard fairs, had coffee with the older neighbors (she was then about 7) and loved to perform her dance routines for us in front of the television. Where was I? Mom would say, "Tina get your nose out of that book, and go outside and get some fresh air." As you can see, Linda was the outgoing one and I was the introvert. She was also the one who would cry if Mom or Dad yelled at her. I was the one who refused to shed a tear.

Unfortunately, looking back I remember being a brat to my little sister. I think she forgives me. There were adult years when we had disagreements and didn't see each other often, but thank heavens these always resolved themselves. I could go on and on, but I will end with this: Linda is so precious to me now. I cherish all of our memories and time together. Happy Birthday dear little sister!


7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad that you and Linda have such a great relationship now. I remember when we were teenagers - you didn't have any time for her then.

Linda - if you read this blog - Happy Birthday to you! Hope it's a great one.

Tina - Hope you and Ken have a wonderful new year. Enjoy the champagne and caviar!

Love you!

daffodilly said...

I read your blog this morning, and I, too cherish you and the friendship that we share. Knowing I am a big cry baby, you made me cry. The cake was delicious.
Love, Blotchy/big eyes.

Linda said...

You both are truly blessed to have such a loving relationship. I am an only child....but I do have a wonderful SIL and we are just like sisters and for this I am very thankful.

Have a Happy New Year and all the best to you and yours in 2008. Linda

Willow said...

It's interesting that my name is also Linda, although I go by Willow in certain arenas including blog land and I don't have a sister, only a very dear brother. But I am blessed with a sil who is like my sister and with friends I've adopted as sisters. But as I watch my two daughters find their friendship as adults, I know I've missed 'something' by not having a sister.

Unknown said...

Will you adopt me??? :-)

Have a blessed New Year filled with love, happiness, and Good Health.

kookie said...

Happy New Year, violetlady. Your sister is lucky to have you. :)

kris said...

A very nice tribute to both you and your sister! My sisters are 10 and 12 years younger than me. Growing up, they were a pain - but now we are good friends. Sisters are truly a gift - I'm happy for you that you have such a great relationship with yours.