"How do people make it through life without a sister"? - Sara Corpening

"The best thing about having a sister was that I always had a friend".
-- Cali Rae Turner

My sister Britta and I got to spend a whole week and a half together with my parents and our kids in Sparks. It has been years since we have had time to be together without husbands and other siblings (don't worry, we love our husbands and our siblings). We stayed up later than we should have and laughed at jokes only we think are funny. It was pure, unadulterated HEAVEN.

I wish I could express how deeply I love my sister, Britta. She has always been an example of pure goodness. I firmly believe that the day guile was handed out, she was absent. She possesses none of it.

Many, many times growing up, I wished I could have her carefree, fun loving spirit. She never seemed to care how others saw her, she only cared about how she treated them. Those that are lucky enough to call her "friend" know that there is none more loyal and true then Britta.

From the day I became a full-time mother, Britta and I both bought headsets so that we could chat for hours on the phone and still have our hands free to do what we needed to. Most of the time we talk about nothing. There are even long periods of time when we don't say a word, but just to know that the other sister is on the line and hearing each other work or teach children is enough.

Sometimes we talk about things that can only be shared with a Sister. With her I can be the women I want and need to be and at the same time be the girl she has always known. The world may see her as a 33 year old mother of four, wife, and all of those things. But I will always see a kaleidoscope of colors: an artist, a tomboy, a child with long blond, beautiful hair, a supporter, the guinea pig of any beauty secret I wanted to try, a faithful missionary, the lover of Neil (TODAY!), the first to do everything, nights of driving and singing to R.E.M. at the top of our lungs, the receiver of countless speeding tickets, the natural beauty, "Bertha Boo" and so, so much more.

Today I went in to get Laurel and Maisy when they woke up from their nap. I took Maisy over to Laurel's crib and as usually happens they both gave each other a huge smile and giggled. They thrill in seeing each other after a short absense. That is how I feel when I get to see my sister...I giggle inside.