Jana invited us to post something on this blog several weeks ago. I successfully put it off as long as I possibly could. Not because I didn't want to write anything -- quite the contrary, actually. I kept mulling it over in my head; trying to figure out which topics to touch on and which to leave unwritten.
Let's see. . .
When I was four years old you introduced me to ice cream cones. I'll never forget the happiness in your voice when you said "you can eat the cone, too". I think you knew how happy that news would make me and you were genuinely excited to share your ice cream knowledge with me. I'll never forget it.
When I was in first grade, I got sick at school. The school nurse couldn't get ahold of Mom, so I had to take the bus home. I got sick on the bus and was sitting all alone. You walked from the back of the bus to where I was sitting and you sat with me. A boy walked by and said "why are you sitting with the puke girl?" You said, "because she's my SISTER" while shoving this young man into the seat ahead of us.
High School. Oh boy. To say you were over-protective would be an understatement. Considering all of the antics you and Matt were busy being involved with, I'm still surprised you had so much time to keep tabs on who I was hanging out with. I can vividly recall St. Francis dances when, all night long, you were nowhere to be found UNTIL someone wanted to talk to me. You would suddenly appear. I still remember the look on potential suitors faces when they realized that I was YOUR little sister. Sometimes it would drive me absolutely crazy while other times it came in quite handy!
A couple of years ago, while I was living in California, I had one of the worst days of my life. I recall my computer crashing, my car dying, and then being notified that my checking account had been hacked. All in one day. I was beside myself. I then received a phone call from you that you were en route to my house because you were nearby on business. By the way, Phoenix isn't really "nearby" Monterey, but I'll take it! You came to visit and you spent the night. As you were leaving I said "thank you for coming - you have no idea how glad I am that you visited" You replied, "sometimes seeing family is just good for the soul".
Your visit was very good for the soul. And it will never be forgotten. It's like you swooped in and just appeared out of nowhere and provided me with a healthy dose of perspective (and a few laughs, of course!).
So, Mike, on your 40th birthday I thank you for all you've taught me over the years. I thank you for showing me the right way to eat an ice cream cone, the protection you've always provided, and for always being so very "good for the soul".
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| Mike, Ronan and Nate - California Coast, 2009 |
Love,
Jennie
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