So Long to Another Decade

Dear Monika,
Although today I am surrounded by sister-in-laws . . . nine of them . . . you are and always will be the only sister I shared my childhood home with. The only sister who looked up to me, wore my hand-me-downs, proudly walked the isle on my wedding day and continues to be there through everything . . . just a phone call away.

My earliest memories of you are embedded in the life of a Spanish culture where people would stop to admire your big blue eyes and curly blond hair.

You were everything I was not. I would go to the mirror and try to convince myself that I too had beautiful blue eyes, asking my Omi (Grammy) to confirm that. Another precious memory is of the bedroom we shared as little girls and how we would lay in bed in the dark and sing out all the songs we knew . . . one after the other . . . by memory . . . our brother, a thin wall separating us, made it a trio.

School Days came along and we found that our study habits were opposites. My first report card was proof of a perfectionist at work, while yours gave away your love for play and a general unpreparedness for the rigmaroles of school.
The three and a half year gap in our age seemed to spread further apart when I became a teenager . . .  feeling quite superior. You will remember when my best friend was over, teaching me the fine art of applying mascara . . . and you were not allowed to look.

It’s funny . . . how we think our childhood just goes on and on. Sharing a closet, helping mom with chores, walking to school, eating pancakes, playing cards with dad, reading books on our beds, going to Saturday German School, riding bikes, going to church. . . but when I think of these random bits right now, I realize that it really was so short . . . in comparison to the time we’ve now experienced as grown women.

Yet . . . the memories of today are built on the memories of yesterday . . . one day stacked upon another . . . all of them rooted in the home we once shared. In a sense, the home we keep going back to.
We’ve taken our turns folding diapers, doing science projects, reminding our kids to practice piano, hosting showers as aunties, re-decorating our homes, taking on roles in our church kitchens, sharing scrapbooks and supporting each other in sadness and in joy.

Monika, today you close another decade and tomorrow you begin a new one. I want to tell you that I’m proud to call you my sister. I’ve watched you grow up and I’ve also watched you grow as a woman. Your service and faithfulness does not go unnoticed. I wish you much joy on your special day and in this season of your life with so much to look forward to. It’s a time when your house can feel quite empty one moment and very full the next. Enjoy both. Wishing you an early Happy Birthday for tomorrow. I know . . . It looks like I can hardly wait! Love, Anni