H.W.M * Lina*

I have to be honest.. I don't remember the exact moment when I first laid eyes on my sister... ( I think I was still recouping from my brother's birth... his story is on the 15th of this month)

I just remember Mamma always saying she was MY baby... and that they had her for ME.

I think at the time I wanted a new Barbie..and figured they misunderstood Barbie for Baby... either way I am glad they took the plunge...

There are 8yrs between my sister and me.... as we were growing up.. I think I did think of her as MY baby... I know I changed diapers now and again.. feeding etc... but I will admit.. I could be so darn mean too..

I had such sadistic side to me then. Though,I've been cured of it now (cough ) ..

For some reason I used to just love to make her cry... Not so much to be mean to her.. but because she looked so cute when she cried ,her little lip would tremble... and her eyes would fill up with water...she looked just like a cartoon character with all the exaggerated features of a sad puppy. As soon as the tears spilled out.. I would grab her, hold her and say....

"No.. No.. we love you... You are a good girl... It's ok.. It's ok.. I was just kidding"...

The good news is.. she has adjusted just fine... and I am happy to report.. the twitching has stopped...
Keep in mind... she was the most beautiful baby.. no really both my brother and sister were.....

I think exceptionally cute babies..

We have a picture of her at about a year old, and I remember the day it was taken.

If you can believe this ... it was taken at a grocery store! yep right near the bread isle.. It wasn't a planned photo.. It was probably a Saturday morning because Pa was there..( Mamma didn't drive so Saturday was shopping day)

A man had set up a make shift studio in a corner of the store...with a few photographer's props..
and was having a special.

Now my brother at a year was taken to a regular photographer( but then again he IS the only male child....)

I didn't even have a "1Year" picture.. and poor Lina would have to do with having her image saved for posterity in a grocery store!

This picture is so darn cute... in it she is wearing a Hodge Podge of apparel... a little green dress,blue tights, a red bow in her hair, and my brothers old baby shoes. Poor thing looked like a little gypsy child..

But oh the cuteness. perfect little face.. too too sweet.

That cuteness would go on throughout her life... oh except for that awkward stage of puberty... braces... Giant saucer size eyeglass frames....and overalls...( hey it was in style!).. it was a Dorky Cute.

Because of the age difference.. I went on to get married, and have my own little ones, that I could torture. She would go on to school and eventually marry and procreate as well.

Now..... the age difference doesn't seem so great.

As time has gone on.. I can see that Mamma was right.. she did have her for me..

Often it is only her, I can trust with feelings and thoughts that I am having, and "most" of the time.... she "gets me".

While she has been by my side through some of the happiest times in my life... She stood even closer, in the very worst.
I can only thank Mamma for thinking ahead.... and "giving" me the little sister I wanted...

At a very young age I knew I WANTED a little sister.. little did I know how much I would NEED a little sister...

So Thanks Ma & Pa for thinking ahead......

Thanks Lina for being born...

I hope you birthday is GREAT ! now and always...

I only have one fear... I have visions of her coming over ,when I am really old and REALLY gray... as I sit in my rocking chair half senile, taking my hand and saying things like...

You are a Bad Bad Girl.... No one likes a Bad girl.. just for the sake of watching my lip tremble and tears spill out... (Paybacks are B- - - - ) and I'd deserve it...

My only hope is she would take me in her arms and say....No.. No.. we love you... You are a good girl... It's ok.. It's ok.. I was just kidding.

Happy Happy Birthday.... love you...