Look who's turning 50!

Guess who's turning 50!!! Why Cindy of course!

November 4th is a historic day. Well of course Cindy was born so that alone handles that! But President Obama was elected just a year ago on this date -- as was Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan and Grover Cleveland (different years mind you!); Will Rogers was born (a couple of years before Cindy in 1879!) as was Matthew McConaughey (he's yummy), Laura Bush, Loretta Swit, Doris Roberts, Orlando Pace -- a very good day for a birthday indeed!

I know that 30 was a bit hard -- hopefully turning 50 is nothing -- a great celebration. And just look how much closer to holding an AARP card you are. Kathy and Debbie of course can give some advice there!

Of all my 4 sisters I remember Cindy the most growing up -- as we are only 4 years difference in age (but I'm still turning 50 tomorrow so I don't have to remember!) In so many ways we are polar opposites -- more so I think than some of my older (hee hee that was fun to say!) sisters.

Cindy was petite and beautiful, I was gangly and akward, she was outgoing and popular, I was more stay and home with a smaller circle to hang out with. She seemed to do everything right, I was a walking disaster! She never got in trouble or talked back, I -- well you get the point.

And not so much has changed. Cindy remains the kind, gentle soul she always was. Yes Yes of course we tease her and laugh with her -- from her playful socks to her continued innocent exhuberence -- but that's what sisters and family are for! But with that is an appreciation for the care and love she puts into everything she does -- from handmaking gifts for the girls birthday parties when they were young, mashed potatoes in the shape of the easter bunny for Easter dinner, to the games and activities she plans and plays with the guests at the nursing home where she works -- always that kindness, gentleness, caring and loving approach.

So today as she turns 50 (please no candles -- I don't think their house is sprinkled!) I want her to know how much I love her, how much fun is was having an older sister I could pick on and beat up!, how glad I was that I grew quicker than you so I didn't have to wear your hand-me-downs too long, how glad I was that you were a cheerleader and I wasn't -- so while I had to live through the your sister was so (fill in the blank here) pretty, popular, cute, fun, etc -- I didn't have to worry about being compared to how good a cheerleader she was, how glad I was that you were so much better at actually doing what you were told so that you even did some of what I was told to do, how much fun I had pretending to clean the basement when really all we were doing was trying to pretend we were genie's and a simple nod of the head would clear stuff out, how glad I am that when I visit you always have a bed for me, always make something special.

I want you to know how glad I am that you're my sister. And how happy I am that you are turning 50 (hey -- better you then me!!)

Happy Birthday Sis! Here's to 50 more!