Feeling old

Today I feel old,  my baby sister is 21 today.  She was the sweetest baby and maybe the reason I fell in love with babies.  I was 13 when she made her entrance into the world.  Unlike when I was 9 and Lori was born this time I understood the magic of having a baby. Even though I felt that both of the little girls were given to me by my parents I really felt more motherly towards Leah than sisterly.  The night she was born, Lori slept in my room we stayed up and whispered about this new baby.  Lori was certain that she would have a playmate and she couldn't wait to see "her" baby. I will never forget holding Lori after she was asleep and silently praying for my mom,  I couldn't nor did I want to imagine childbirth but I was still filled with wonderment about her experience.

She was smiley and easy going.  She wanted to do everything that her older 4 year old sister could do and from the time she was tiny she adored Lori Kay.  I can remember holding her in our living room while we watched Lori perform and Leah never took her eyes off of Lori.  She always clapped the most and cheered the loudest for all of us. 

When I got married and moved away she cried as if I would never come back.  The thought of her little 10 year old  face streaked with tears made me want to drive home for every volleyball game or other important event of her life. To this day I still cry when I think about how sweet my two baby sisters were walking down the aisle of my wedding. 

Through the years I have watched her become a beautiful woman, she still smiles and she still cheers us each on.  I love her laughter, her dancing and overall silliness.  I love that she gives her friends good advice and that she learns from her own mistakes. I love that she serves her family with the same cheerfulness that she did when all made her a mini servant of sorts.

I just talked to her today and she was out with her friends celebrating.  I felt old listening to them laugh and I felt blessed when she told me she wanted me there with her.  I can't be there,  I have to be here taking care of a new little baby, one who sometimes reminds me so much of the sweet little baby that I fell in love with 21 years ago.

So Happy Birthday to our families baby...I hope that you have a wonderful time and be safe!