I Don't Want To Be 'JUST' The Big Sister Anymore!

 (Stamped Sister Rings by PureImpressions)

      I'm taking kind of a detour from my usual posts today to talk about a subject that I've been thinking about for a while. The subject of family, and where I fit in the family. I've thought about it before, with no solutions in my head as to what to do about it. But something happened yesterday that brought it all back up again!

      I got a phone call from my dad, which I told you about. But afterward I got a call from my sister. Dad had called her to tell her the good news about my doctor's appointment, and she called to say how happy she was for me. :-] ... But when I hung up the phone I started to pull apart bits and pieces of the conversation, and I realized....I'm still the big sister!! O_O

      Okay...here's where you go and get your cup of coffee. ^_^ ...

 (Hand Stamped Vintage Spoon by ForSuchATimeDesigns)

      Let me ask you...where are you in the family tree?!...I'm the oldest of my mother's children (eight in all). The 'big sister'. And that's what I've always been! ALWAYS! The one who plans everything like crazy. Who worries about everybody, as if I'm the second mother. The one who gets the phone calls when someone needs a shoulder to cry on, or some other kind of help!

      I'm also the one who none of my sisters and brothers really know....Not 'REALLY!', I mean!...I think the reason is because they 'have' thought of me as sort of a second mom. The 'go to' person...yes!...But also the social enemy of all things 'cool'! ^_^ More like the 'keeper-of-all-things-that-remind-them-of-HOME'!...

 (Colourful Forest and Lake Original Acrylic Painting by GiselleDenisFineArt)

      And that's not a bad thing! In fact, I've prided myself on being just that!...for years...'The-Keeper-Of-All-Things-Having-To-Do-With-HOME'!! :-) But now, as a 'Wug' girl into my fifties, I wanna be more than just the 'big sister'!!!...I wanna be the companion. The friend. The neighbor. The first phone call to share family funnies with. The one 'BEING helped for a change!!!

      It feels to me sometimes that my sisters and brothers think that no matter what goes on with me, or what is happening around me, that "Eh! She's got that!"...When in fact, there are times when I wish I had a big sister, with broad loving shoulders, for me to cry on!...Not that I'd use them much! LOL But I'm sure I would...maybe! ^_^ 

      So, as of today, I declare that 'I AM MOVING ON' from 'big sister' status!!!! ^_^ The 'Please-call-me-if-you-need-something' ship has now sailed!! LOL...

 (Original Museum Quality Open Edition print/ poster by falboart)

      And the 'Hey, Girl! ship has pulled into port! ^_^ Don't get me wrong, as long as I'm alive I know I'll be the big sister!...But from now on out, no one needs to weigh their words around me because they're afraid I'll be counseling them on the rights and wrongs of being in this family, etc...!...Even though they can expect a friendly nudge in the right direction from their true 'sister/friend'! ^_^

      If you're not the type of person who has ever noticed how your siblings respond to you, based on where you are in the family line, then this post will make no sense whatsoever!! LOL And you're probably not the oldest!! ^_^ The eldest sibling, in my experience, always notices!!! LOL

      So, no more outcast status for me! Call me 'Miss Moving On'!! ^_^

)

(Fine Art Giclee Print by susancasephotography)

      But still, YAY for sisterhood!! ^_^ Have a good day, Sisters and Brothers!! :-) ♥

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      Bye Bye, "Big Sister"....I'll shed a tear for you, and remember you well.
 
Sisters

Sisters-on the family curve
sometimes just get on your nerve;
But, sisters will a purpose serve,
they will your life preserve.

Sisters-sometimes they're at war;
and sometimes they "do" go to far.
All sisters want to be the star-
not follow where you are!

Sisters-they don't care a bit!
When fighting they will never quit!
But, sisters, all your jokes they get;
and, when with you, they fit!

Sisters-are your family.
Sisters, see the things you see;
Sisters, knew the girl you'd be,
and set your spirit free.

Sisters-beside you they live;
and sometimes drain you, like a sieve;
But sisters, their last dime will give,
and will your bad forgive.

Sisters-no one else can knock;
and wow!-the memories they unlock.
A sisters smile can stop the clock-
'cause sisters "They Just Rock!"

Parents-with the seasons flow.
Boyfriends-they will come and go.
Brothers-by your side will grow.
But, sisters ease your woe;
and one shared heart you know.

It's All About 'SISTERHOOD' Love Today!

 (Dictionary Sisterhood Definition Necklace by Lizabettas)

      I'm sure it's no big surprise to my regular blog readers that, after spending yesterday with my baby sister, all I would wanna talk about today is my sister! ^_^ I love her!!...And I didn't realize how long it had been since we had a substantial conversation until we got to talking!

      My baby sister is a mom of three. That means I'm her sister, and her children's 'aunt-ee'. ^_^ I have to admit though, that sometimes it's so hard for me to think of her as a mom!! I have so many visions and memories in my head from when we were kids, that it's hard to think of this, now, woman as a mother taking care of children!...when I used to be her big sister, and take care of her!! :-) ...

 (Sister Elastic Headbands by CuteZCrafts)

      The good thing is that no matter how long we're alive, I'll 'still' be her BIG sister!! ^_^ The one she can count on, and cry with, in hard times...

      ...The one she can totally share her secrets with, and show her 'crazy' to!! ^_^ ...
 

 (Bad Day by roofchimp)

      The fact is, we both probably need some mental help!! LOL...

      Isn't that an amazing thing about sisters?!...You can be apart for long periods of time...and then come together again, and look into the face of someone who 'KNOWS' you better than anybody on earth...good and bad...and still like you!! ^_^ 
      My baby sis and I talked like talking was gonna go out of style tomorrow! LOL And then we talked some more about when we would get together again soon and do some more talking!! ^_^ And in the midst of all of that talking, I found out things about her that I absolutely did not know!! O_O
       I was asking questions like: "Where was I when that happened?!"..."How come I didn't know that?!"..."When did that happen?!"...I felt like such a 'ninnie'!! I mean, we were growing up in the same house, weren't we?!" O_O
      Oh Well!...At least I'm glad I know now....Well, some of it anyway....Long story. A long, never to be told on the blog, story!! I am her big sister after all...keeper of sister secrets, and lover of all things sister-ish!! ^_^ I'll sing some things, but those things are about ME!! ^_^

 (Yellow Warblers Print by sarahkdesigns)

      I love my sister! ♥ And I loved our visit yesterday. :-] I look forward to making it a regular weekly thing now...

 (Stamped Silverplated Spoon Keyring Keychain by onecraftivist) 

(Wood Sign by trimblecrafts)

      Have a good day, Everybody! :-) And if you're a sister...give her a 'holler'!! ♥

Sisters

Sisters-on the family curve
sometimes just get on your nerve;
But, sisters will a purpose serve,
they will your life preserve.

Sisters-sometimes they're at war;
and sometimes they "do" go to far.
All sisters want to be the star-
not follow where you are!

Sisters-they don't care a bit!
When fighting they will never quit!
But, sisters, all your jokes they get;
and, when with you, they fit!

Sisters-are your family.
Sisters, see the things you see;
Sisters, knew the girl you'd be,
and set your spirit free.

Sisters-beside you they live;
and sometimes drain you, like a sieve;
But sisters, their last dime will give,
and will your bad forgive.

Sisters-no one else can knock;
and wow!-the memories they unlock.
A sisters smile can stop the clock-
'cause sisters "They Just Rock!"

Parents-with the seasons flow.
Boyfriends-they will come and go.
Brothers-by your side will grow.
But, sisters ease your woe;
and one shared heart you know.

Yes Sister, It's Time To Shed The Darkness!

(Out Of Darkness Photo by EmilyzEyez)

     I know that talking about 'darkness' on a Sunday morning seems a little strange. But because of a looooooong conversation I had with one of my sisters last night...and because I always talk about stuff that's on my mind at the time that it's on my mind...I have to talk about it this morning.

     Before I do though, let me get one matter of business taken care of...the Giveaway winner announcement...If you remember, this time it's actually two winners! :-]

       Congratulations Bee Happy! Your name was the first one that came out of the bag after I shook up all...'six' of the names! ^_^ I guess my little crochet bags weren't that big of a draw!! ^_^ ...Whatever!!

         The other name that popped up was...

        Congratulations Gill!!! You get the other crochet bag! :-)

       Both of you, please just go to my "About Me" profile above and click on "Email" and send me a confirmation of your addresses. I'll try to get them in the mail later today! :-) ... I'll also try to get the new Giveaway item posted by tomorrow at the latest. So keep your eyes open everybody! It's not a little crochet bag this time! :-))

      Okay...back to my subject...It's so funny how things work out. Here hubby and I were, all smiles and warm feelings, after saying goodbye to his sister after a wonderful visit...*She left for home...the south...yesterday. *...and then I get a phone call from one of 'my' sisters! But it wasn't a phone call of smiles and warm feelings. At least not in the beginning. :-(

     After an awkward first few minutes of trying to re-establish some connection between the two of us,...it's been a long time since we talked!...'baby girl' came to the real reason she was calling...She woke up!...

(Fine Art Print by JulieDavisPhoto)

      I won't get into too much detail here. That wouldn't be appropriate, or respectful of her. So, in order to avoid the details, but yet say what I need to say, the rest of this post will be in the form of a letter to my sister:

(Giclee Print by ingridArtStudio)

Dear 'Baby Girl',

        I'm so glad you called yesterday...even though it was a hard conversation for us to have. I've always tried to protect you from bad things. Even when we were little. And I tried to give you a heads up about this situation the last time we talked. But you were so sure I was wrong and that I wasn't giving the person a fare break.

       I'm older than you, sweet sister, and I've been around a while. More than that, I KNOW this person very well! I could see that you just wanted to see the best in them, but I was also sure that you would eventually get to the place you are now.....awakened to the reality of who they are, and what their real motives were. :-(

      Like a city early in the morning that's been shrouded in darkness right before the dawn, you've been in darkness about a lot of things going on...

(Fine Art Photographic Print by alibubba)

        I wish that I could have softened the blow of those hurtful...no, horrible...words that were spoken to you. No one should ever have to hear someone they love say those kinds of things to them...under any circumstances!...Unfortunately, as I told you the last time we spoke, I knew there was an ulterior motive for the person's behavior...and I feared that you were bound to get hurt.

      This person has been showing us for years, not by words, but by behavior, that they didn't care about us, or care about how we felt about them! Their whole course of life and action was all about them!...It's kinda sad that someone whose suppose to have a natural affection for you treats you like they don't know who you are...or like they never have known who you were!

       I just want to say again...remember that you are not the sum of where you came from, or who you are related to. You are the sum of the choices you make! So think about what choices you will make from now on, and what kind of person you want to be!!! Step away from your past, my sweet sister. Hoping for something that will never be, will only hurt you and keep you stuck in an endless cycle of grief and self pity. That's not who you want to be. I know! 

        In the future put your energy into the people who TRULY love you, and even into friends who have your best interests at heart...those who support and care for you, and who only want the best for you.

      And when the words of what this person said are ringing in your ears, making you feel 'Less Than'...hear these words: I love you! You are special! You always have been!...Life has thrown you some really bad blows!!!!!!!!! This is just one more. You've gotten through all of the other ones, and you will get through this one too!! I'm here for you...like I always have been. I'm glad to see you wake up from the darkness. I had to do that myself. It's just taken you a lot longer than it did me...Thank You, Poetry and writing!!

      Hopefully, we'll have many more long conversations. And, as we do, I know that the darkness will be replaced with light...and laughter...and even some good memories of times in our past. That's what's happened for me. Hey! Even a honey comb has a few stingers hanging around...and I know we always will have them too. But if we stick together we'll get through this fully intact, and maybe even with a lot of light hanging around too! :-)

 (Mason Jar Strand With Lights by sweetteaclothingco)

        Until next time, and I know now that we have the makings of a lot of 'next times', keep your precious giggle and 'too-often-missing' smile. Yes sister, it's time to shed the darkness and never let it hover around your doorstep again! 

        ♥♥♥ Your Big Sister and Lifelong Friend! :-]   
  

Be The Best You Can Be

I live my life every day,
trying to be the very best I can,
so that I am not affected
by the degrading words of man.

If "I" know who I am,
then I don't care what others think;
I don't end up in some bar,
trying to hide my pain with drink.

Oh Yes! THEY have opinions
on what THEY think you should do,
on how you wear your hair,
where you should go, also with who!

I nod and give a grin,
respecting what they want to say;
but it's my thoughts that count
at the end of the day.

It makes it so much easier
when I'm being the best I can;
Then I feel good about my choices;
I don't fear words from any man!