Baby Sister, Big Blessings

Last week, just moments after I’d called it a night & laid my head on the pillow, my phone buzzed.  Much to my delight, It was my baby sister, Anna. I’m convinced Anna’s night (a school night, I might add) was probably just beginning as mine was ending.  And by beginning, I mean she’d put a full day in at school, gone to a 2 hour softball practice, went to dance class, came home, ate dinner, and was starting the next phase of her night- a mountain of homework.  I suppose once upon a time I had the energy & drive to maintain that kind of schedule- but now, as I approach what Doug calls my “late twenties” I have to say that’s NOT the case.  But, I digress. 

“Was I up?”  Anna wanted to know.  She was hoping to talk to me just for a little while, to get some advice about some things that were on her mind. Did I have time to talk to her?  I sat up in bed, turned on the light, and proceeded to talk to her for almost 45 minutes.  I put down the phone after we were done, and found myself feeling overwhelmed with a sense of pride & love at how grounded, level headed & thoughtful Anna is.  And totally grateful that she called me for a heart to heart. 

Before I go any further, let me just tell you that my baby sister is one of my favorite people in this world.  Truly, she is.  Though she is 10 years younger than me, she’s one of my best friends.  She’ll be standing next to me in October as my Maid of Honor.  By that point, her freshman year of college will be well underway.  THAT is what gets me.  How is that even possible?  That the baby of our family is old enough to go to college?  

During her visit to St. Louis this summer, Anna & I did a campus
tour at SLU. She's since eliminated it as an option- but we had a great
time checking out the campus together.  My last campus visit was
when I was looking at colleges- 10 years ago, so this was what
you might call a humbling experience. 

 When I think of someone who is living a “glass half full” kind of life- Anna comes to mind.  I admire & am inspired by her, because at the ripe old age of 18, this young lady has it going on.  She has a confidence about her, a beauty that radiates inside & out.  She has a heart of gold & is compassionate.  She’s intelligent & challenges herself.  She is one of the funniest people you’ll ever meet- it takes nothing for her to have those around her in stitches. It’s not uncommon for me to save the voicemails she leaves me at work, and play them for my coworkers on speaker phone, because her animation & quick wit absolutely crack us up.  She can dance like no one I’ve ever seen before, and lights up the lives of those around her. 

What I really respect about Anna is that what you see is what you get.  In a world where we’re all challenged to be someone we’re not, to compromise our beliefs & values to “fit in,” Anna is a rock.  She’s genuine & responsible- a role model for me & so many other people.   I love my baby sister- who, seems to not really fit the mold of “baby sister” anymore. 

Anna & I at Tim & Jen's Hawaiian themed
shower this past summer.



The Diva of the Boogey Board-
at the Outer Banks during our
family vacation last summer.



Anna’s senior prom is this weekend, and I can’t be home for it.  It’s absolutely killing me that I can’t be there to watch her get ready, to pose for pictures with her charming boyfriend, to harass mom & dad about her curfew on her way out the door. I wanted to do something that would let her- and everyone else-  know how much I love her & how proud I am of her.  Whether you know her or not- I think you’d agree- she fits the theme of the half full glass of cab blog perfectly.  J