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Happy Birthday, Sis!


I always wanted a sister, and often times felt that I had missed out on that special relationship of closeness that exists between those who share the bond of sisterhood. I have had a taste of that joy with some of my girlfriends, but with various moves, new circumstances, and changing times, those relationships have seemingly been for just particular seasons in my life. As I grow older, I realize more and more that it is those relationships that have become quite dear to me, and they are priceless treasures that I cherish and often long for.

Today is my sister's birthday, and I miss her dearly. She left her family of origin, feeling hurt, let down, and betrayed. Within her own family system she had felt attacked. There seemed to be no room for grace or mercy. Forgiveness seemed to be too costly, so her only recourse was to leave, pack up her stuff, and head one way to Texas. To this day, she has not been heard from, and yet I cannot forget her, for I love her with all my heart.

I never will forget the first time that we met. My husband, then my boyfriend, drove me to her barber shop to meet her after work. She came out to the car with her gorgeous grin and smile. Although, she was petite, her arms extended wide and long with love. I liked her from the start. Along our journey of life, we shared marriages, and pregnancies, although she was the first to always take the plunge! She could light up a room with her laughter, and always enjoyed calling me by my complete name, "Mary Brown." She took in people like I picked up stray critters. She always had a heart to help those who were down and out or who needed a little help to get on in life. She did this even when they sometimes took advantage of her charity and kindness. Christmas was her holiday when she pulled out all the stops and turned her home into one of festive glee. I'll never forget the joy she brought to my father at one of her Christmas parties. After that, Daddio often remarked how much he loved being in her home and what a good time he had shared with her family. She was the queen of hospitality. . .

So today, dear sister, it's your birthday. I want to tell you "Happy Birthday!" Perhaps you will read my blog, because I know that you searched and found it once before. I miss you, we all miss you, our family is incomplete. I know that time is moving on, it's difficult when our parents are no longer here to rally us kids together, but the bottom line is that we need one another. We are family, we are sisters, you are in our thoughts and prayers . . .

Happy Birthday, Sis!

Comments

  1. BEEBETTMay 30, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    My sister, Mary Brown,
    I found you! I have been searching for your blog for a long, long time. Your blog site is saved in My Favorites Folder on my computer, which crashed just before I left Calif. Kevin was gracious enough to allow me bring his computer with me.
    Yesterday, (5/29/11) I decided not to turn on the computer and spend the entire day with our Lord, reading and praying. After a several hours, at the urging of the Holy Spirit, I turned on the computer and began looking for you. After approx. 4-5 tries, there you were. How great is our God!
    I was so excited! I could hardly wait to start reading. I decided to read where I left off and work my way into 2011.
    I clicked the month of Feb. Not realizing the date as I scrolled to read and not a clue you were writing about me until the second paragraph. Suddenly I could no longer see the words on the screen for the tears flowing. Tears of pain and tears of joy. Mary Brown, your words captured my heart perfectly.
    Spending that Christmas with My Buddy, your Daddio, I will never forget. I will never forget as he led us in prayer and thanksgiving he had to pause for an emotional moment as he remembered his loving wife.
    As usual with any of the family function in my home, there were those few when in attendance would always find something to complain about. I don’t know if My Buddy got a tid-bit, an ear full or heard nothing at all. At some point after dinner I was walking toward the back of the house, as I was about to pass him, he grabbed both my hands. He thank me for inviting him, expressed the wonderful time he was having… he knew much time and effort went into having the dinner party etc. I felt as if he saying more than what I was hearing, not being sure I politely began to say the correct things a hostess would.
    Then – My Buddy gripped my hands tighter, looked right into my eyes with the gentleness and the love of Jesus, and said, “God sees your heart….” “God knows why you do this...” My eyes became very watery. How wonderful I felt that the Lord let My Buddy see into my heart. I felt so blessed, so appreciated. The Lord had My Buddy tell me, He sees me and what I did was good.
    Mary Brown, you wrote this appox. 4 months ago on my birthday, so we can’t call it belated. What we can say is,
    “God is always right on time!” My meditation was Hebrews 4:12
    For the word of God is living and powerful, and
    sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even
    to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and
    marrow, and is a discerner of thoughts and intents
    of the heart.
    How awesome! This time He used you, at the right time on the right dates.

    I love you all! I miss you all very much!
    Your Sis

    ReplyDelete

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