Monday, February 28, 2011

My sister...and an update on Ethan~


My sister, Dawn who is two years older wrote an e-mail today stating that she was ready for another blog entry. She evidently likes my writing, which is a good thing, and of course I wanted to indulge her. What? Garsh Darn-it, here we are just on the precipice of mid-life and she is STILL telling me what to do! And the worst part is I STILL do what she says!

So here I am writing a blog entry because my sister said so…as a result it got me thinking about all the things I had to do as a youngster because ‘my sister said so’.


Oh boy, there were so many instances; you see she took it upon herself to be MY boss! She would probably claim she was being a ‘caretaker’ …same thing; just a euphemism, but being the youngest of five, EVERYONE seemed to be my boss! Further I felt I could never escape it or her…but don’t worry, she’d tell you the same thing herself so I’m not revealing any deep dark secret here.

I have committed to memory the occasion I was in third or fourth grade and I had ‘on purpose’ forgotten my school book since I hadn’t done my homework. Therefore while we were standing in the kitchen and the bus was blaring its horn she yelled at me to go get my math book with the incomplete work tucked inside. I emphatically said ‘NO!’ so she pushed me toward my curtailed job and I hit my forehead on the corner of the table and needed stitches…the good part? I didn’t have to go to school without my unfinished homework!


Another time we were amusing ourselves with our baby dolls on the back patio and I wanted to rock mine to sleep and being the baby sister, Dawnie’s child sized rocking chair was there for the taking. I sat down and started swaying and singing to my baby, and she told me to ‘Get Up!’ Well, my baby wasn’t quite asleep yet, so I stayed put and kept on serenading my young one. Well, I could tell in the tone of my sister’s voice she wasn’t going to say, ‘oh gosh then, I’ll just wait until you are done…’ No, that wasn’t in her so she demanded again with her hands on her hips and her brow furrowed as her lips pursed together puckered out, shouting, ‘GET UP!’ and I repeatedly told her I wanted to sing my baby to sleep.

To this day I have no idea what bravery crawled into me, but I remember picking up that rocking chair and dashing around the back yard as fast as my little legs could carry me rushing from her as she was shaking her fist at me. Unfortunately, I was running with the furniture and my baby doll so I was definitely at a disadvantage therefore I made a cut to the right and when I couldn’t escape her wrath, I put the chair down and bounded over it; or at least I attempted to leap over it and landed on my arm. Of course, I cried and blamed her because it was ALWAYS her fault (I’m no dummy!) and spent the next six months in a cast up to my shoulder. (Picture below to prove it!)


Seriously, a sliver of examples, BUT a true depiction of our growing up, I love my sister, and what’s more I admire her. She has an incredible heart of kindness and would give the shirt off her back for those less fortunate. She has adopted four children as a single parent and continues to give when she has nothing left to offer. I want to shake her at times because she sticks her neck out repeatedly and then gets hurt so deeply and I end up aching for her, although she keeps plugging away when I would have thrown in the towel a long time ago.



My sister is a teacher who is extremely smart in the area of life, knows what she likes and doesn’t like and says what is on her mind. She doesn’t let people get the best of her, well, most of the time and her unbelievable strength carries her through distressed times only to do it all over again. So yeah, I continue to be the little sister whose big sister still can tell her what to do, but whom else would I have to tell me what to do? Never mind, don’t answer that! ...the line starts here!

I love you, Dawnie!
*******
 
I received a message from my sister and Ethan was sent home, although she says she doesn't know why because he's still a very sick little boy. However, he was without a fever for 12 hours; ummmm.  He has a Dr. appointment today and she said she wouldn't be surprised if he was put back into the hospital. Thank you all so much for your continual prayers.
You all mean the world to me!

40 comments:

Angela said...

I'm glad he's home from the hospital and that his fever has broken. Hopefully things continue to improve. What a nice tribute to your sister this post was.

Teresa Evangeline said...

Love the pics and stories from your childhood. They reminded me of a few of my own.

I trust Ethan is up, his fever down, and he's a happy on-the-go boy.

TexWisGirl said...

Loved the sis stories. Just precious. :)

Jules said...

Being an OLDER sister I so loved this post. We do tend to boss but only for your good :)

Thank heavens for the good news but I will continue to say one for Ethan :)
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

Out on the prairie said...

Nice to hear Ethan is on the road to recovery.I babysat sick babies all weekend and now am getting the sniffles today. My "baby" sister was still designated that right up to the eulogy I delivered at her funeral.

KathyA said...

Twelve hours without fever is a good sign. Keep us posted.

I think having a sister would be very nice. I have brothers and while we're close, it's just different.

Bossy Betty said...

What a great post to your sister! (I have four older ones myself and so I can relate to much of this.) Hope Ethan is a healthy, happy boy very soon.

karen said...

Beautiful stories....beautiful family. I'm glad Ethan is on the mend. Holding him close in thought for a full recovery. xo

Wanda's Wings said...

Beautiful memories and awesome pictures. I am glad Ethan is doing better.

Linda said...

Loved the pictures and sister stories. Being an only child I missed all those 'fun times'.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

Oh these pics are a trip down memory lane. We do have siblings that boss us always :)
kim

Arkansas Patti said...

I am a bit late with my prayers for Ethan but even though he is home now, it seems he still needs a little devine support. He is now in my prayers also.
As for your sibling wars, they do sound familiar. With me, it was the brother I fought with the most that I am closest to today.

Pat Tillett said...

It's great to hear that Ethan is home from the hospital...

My older brother once fractured my skull with a croquet mallet...just for fun!
It's great to have photos from your childhood! thanks for sharing them.

Margaret (Peggy or Peg too) said...

Love the photos and stories!

I am keeping my fingers crossed that Ethan can stay home and continue to get well.

Brian's Home Blog said...

Thanks for the update on Ethan, I sure hope he gets all better really soon, we're still sending purrs his way. I enjoyed the family memories too...way cool!

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

Wow, look like you got a few hard knocks along the way and to still come out loving your sister. Now that is sisterly love.

Praying for Ethan, please keep us informed.

Oh, is that a walking doll? to the left of the photo?

Talli Roland said...

Aw, this is lovely! What a great post for your sister to read.

Nancy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Pellie / Penny said...

Great post - thank you so much for sharing your sister with us - Never having had a sister - I envy you - even the bossy times.

Hugs,
Penny

Nancy said...

My older sister pulled my arm out of joint once -- I think I was two or three. She still feels bad about that. ;)

mamahasspoken said...

Glad he's home and hope that he doesn't have to go back any time soon!
I don't have a sister but had five brothers. Whenever we retell childhood stories, their memories are completely different from mine. With that in Mind, I want to hear your sister's side of these stories ;o)

Betsy Banks Adams said...

What a fabulous story, Trac.... I only had two older brothers --so I missed the joys (and the pain... ha) of having a sister... Where does your sister live???? Bless her heart.. She has her hands full with four children.. What ages are they all????

Yes---she'll always be the BIG sister --and you will always do what she says (up to a point)... Right?????? ha ha

Hugs,
Betsy

Inger said...

Great stories from your childhood. I hope little Ethan is truly getting better.--Inger

Old Kitty said...

Awwwww great to see these pics!! How lovely!! I am the youngest of my family and all my big sisters and brother told me what to do and still do! LOL!!!

I hope that Ethan continues to get better! Take care
x

Peggy K said...

Just cuz he's home doesn't mean the prayers stop. I'm still thinking about him!

Thanks for sharing "Life with Sister" with us. I really enjoy these stories.

Ginny Hartzler said...

I always wanted a sister and was a very lonely only child. So you are blessed. I somehow had missed your post below on Ethan. I missed another followers last post too, i think it is something to do with my sidebar maybe. But I have caught up now and will be praying for Ethan.

dulcy said...

What a lovely post! I'm so happy to hear that Ethan is home and fever free. I certainly understand anxiety about being home so soon. Hoping for the very best for you, Ethan, and your family.
xo
dulcy

Connie said...

Great pictures and memories! I enjoyed this post.

I hope that Ethan is on his way to recovery. Glad to hear he was able to go home.

Dawn said...

What a beautiful post!!!! It made me smile...I'm the oldest, my name is Dawn, and my sister tells me I was the bossiest of all;)))

Loved all the photos!!!

Pitterle Postings said...

What a wonderful tribute to your sister. Life can be fun!! I hope that Ethan is doing better and that all is well.

Julie Musil said...

Poor little Ethan! Oh, it's awful when a child is sick. Sending my prayers his way.

I loved this post, and the photos are amazing! Sisters are a blessing, no doubt about it.

LTM said...

so glad to hear Ethan's better--and maybe the fever won't come back!

I always wanted a sister. I have an older brother, and he doesn't seem to give a flip what I do. :D <3

Catherine said...

Such a cute post about you and your sister! Fond memories to be sure ~ well ~ except for the stitches and the broken arm part! :)

I hope Ethan gets all better soon!

Happy March Tracy!
xo Catherine

Rae said...

Sisters are wonderful! I have four brothers and four sisters (we lost my oldest sister to cancer 4 years ago)...
And what great memories you have! Loved the photos that went along with it! Precious!

troutbirder said...

Darn I never had a sister just two baby brothers. I do have a grandson though name Ethan. I love to tell him stories about Ethan Allen and The Green Mountain Boys. :)

Bobbie said...

What a heartwarming post!! I have sisters too.... I really enjoyed this.

Donea Lee said...

What lovely homage to your sister! And fun photos! Sisters are the best ~ I'm the oldest of 4. And my prayers to little Ethan ~ :)

Susan Fields said...

I'm the youngest of five as well. It's funny because my sister lives in the same city, and even though we're both in our forties, she still takes care of me when she gets the opportunity, and I still let her. I definitely think birth order effects our personalities, because I'm usually very happy to let other people take charge.

Pat - Arkansas said...

I am the elder of three sisters, and I know how to boss them around, even until this day (and we are all in our 70's)! The sister just younger than I gave me a chair pillow with embroidered words "I'm Not Bossy, I Just Have Better Ideas." That's it, exactly!

I hope Ethan continues to get better and doesn't have to go back to the hospital. Prayers continue.

Flame of the Forest said...

I am you new followed. Loved your childhood stories. I wish everything nice and good for Ethan...