I'll always take care of you........

These are the words I whispered in her ear when she was a baby.

This post is for my sister, Ashley. She has been after me to include her in my blog. And she is one of my Followers....and Followers need to get certain perks....So here you go Ash this is all about you!

She was born when I was 9. I was thrilled to have a baby sister. I would have been okay with a brother but I do remember wanting another sister. At that age I was baby crazy as most girls are. Ashley was like having a really cool doll around the house. I felt very motherly towards her and wanted to teach her everything I knew.

I cried the day she was born. It is the first time I recall crying because I was happy.

I was being an emotional preteen one night and got sent away from the supper table. Ashley was still a pretty little baby, probably 2 months or less. She was swaddled up, lying alone on the couch. She was fussy and I knelt down to whisper to her. I told her I would always love her, I would always be there for her and always support her. She would never have to feel alone. I remember her looking at me, blinking a lot as babies do. I was crying a little, mostly because I was feeling misunderstood and I wanted a big sister to say those things to me. I kissed her forehead and knew that I must try to live up to my promises. I must try to give her what I did not have. Now, as a mommy I recognize this as being one of my first maternal thoughts.

I remember a lot about Ashley. Being 9 is old enough to remember things. She had a bald head for a long time. It paid off though. Now she has a gorgeous head of hair that I would kill for. Mom dressed her in dresses a lot and she wore those classic white baby shoes with bells on them. She had a funny little laugh when she was just learning to walk. She'd wrinkle up her nose and make a funny snuffing noise then grin really big. She still has a cute laugh, not snuffy but cute. Whenever I see her wrinkle up her nose I think of that adorable baby's laugh.

I was never graceful. Not then, not now, not even in my dreams. I remember carrying Ashley around outside and tripping over my own feet. I fell while holding her. It was one of those times where I felt like I was in slow motion. I knew I was falling and I knew I couldn't let the baby hit the sidewalk. I managed to hold Ash out in front of me, kind of like a football player who is straining to make a touch down. And it was a touchdown. She landed in the grass, still in my arms. I scraped up my knees and arms and maybe hurt my face a little but the baby was okay. That was all I could think of: the baby was ok. I got yelled at for falling down with the baby (Mom-I know you are going to deny it, but you yelled. But I get it, I just dropped your baby. Now I drop my own babies. But I'm getting off subject)

Now she is grown, a young woman. She is smart and well liked. She is a great aunt. My kids love her to pieces. She has a real adult job, making money. She did wonderful in college, winning awards and such. I'm so proud of Ashley. Proud like a parent. But the older she gets the closer I feel like we grow as friends. I am thankful for that. I will always be "the old one" but I am so glad we can sit and laugh together. (Or text for an hour)

So that is my sappy, sweet dedication to my sister. You'll hear more about her as time goes by but this is her moment in the bloglight.