Sisters

When I was a little girl, I was the first grandchild on my Mother's side of the family and I was the first girl on my Dad's side of the family.   The terms spoiled and child do not coexist in Grandma Mildred's world but on the hill at Grandma and Grandpa Galvans I was spoiled rotten.  I used to wish that I was an only child as I did not like sharing the attention with my siblings but today I cant imagine my life without my sister Laurie or my brothers.  We have had some great times together and we love each other very much.

Before Jeremy was born, Laurie was the "caboose" as lovingly described by my Dad.  As such she was also teased endlessly and left out by my brother Jerry and myself.   I think due to this endless teasing, if you make her mad, you better watch out--she has a temper.  Laurie has always had a sparkle in her eye and a laugh that is very contagious.  We all know that she can't see when she is laughing so make sure you don't tell her a really good joke when she is driving.  She one of the kindest and giving souls on earth.  I know many people, including myself, that have benefited from her lifesaving technique of loving,caring and being johnny on the spot when you need her.  I was going through some tough times several years back and she couldn't get a hold of me for some reason.  She was so worried about me that she drove to Colorado Springs to check on me.  I will never forget that as that was the kind of love I needed at that time.  I had many nights when she listened to me crying and tried to convince me that it would all be OK and it is.  She helps me to see the truths that I can not see.  She has helped me to be a kinder and more understanding person as I have a tendency to harden my heart. 

When we were kids, Jerry and I had a pact not to tell Laurie everything because she would inevitably tell Mom and Dad.  Today, she knows all of my secrets.  I don't know if I would call them deep, dark secrets but she knows.  She also knows the secrets of many others--she is the person that can objectively look at your problems and give you the best of advice.    I don't want to panic anyone but she does have a tough time keeping secrets from me--we tell each other everything.  She also knows that if you tell me something that I can't tell anyone--I will forget about it anyway.   

She has a BIG heart.  If there is someone in need, she will be the first person to help them.  Our friend Louis, teased her after a trip to Los Angeles because she gave something to everyone that asked for help and even went back to find someone that she didn't have change to tip at the time.  He said that they would have never made it from one end of the beach to the other because Laurie stopped to listen to everyone and to help everyone.



There are so many stories that I could tell.  There are so many changes that both of us have been through.  Her daughter, Rhiannon is my God Daughter.  Our sons are only 4 months apart and our dogs Bubba and Mickey were best friends and her husband is like my brother.  My sister Laurie means the world to me and we have the sister bond that many yearn for.  We laugh at each other's weaknesses, we admire each other's strengths.  I wish that we could live right next to each other like Grandma Rita and Grandma Tina did.  We would complain about our husbands and kids (not that there is anything to really complain about) and we would drink whiskey and coffee every morning.  We would get in fights but make up by that afternoon.   One of us would make lunch and the other would make dinner.   For now, we do all of these things over the phone--thank goodness for unlimited long distance.  Thank you God for giving us Laurie even though I didn't recognise this incredible gift when I was a little girl.