Ode To My Big Sister

Today is my big sister’s Birthday and I just can’t help, but be sentimental about it. There is nothing like having a big sister and as my sister can tell you there is nothing like having a little sister/biggest fan. I was a pest there is no denying that, but only because to me she hung the moon. Happy Birthday Jennifer Jean, I am so grateful you were born and so grateful it was before me, so you could be my big sister. I love you.




Ode To My Big Sister,

Some kids have security blankets, stuffed animals or even a night light…I had a big sister. For the first six years of my life we shared a room, which was AMAZING (for me). J.J. and I would go to sleep listening to KLSY our favorite radio station. Well, it was my sister’s favorite and any favorite of Jenn’s was a favorite of mine. The nightly program was “lights out love songs” and boy were they ever. J.J. would sing to me until I fell into my little slumber and let me tell you, no one could sing the “Karate Kid” sound track like my sister.

Unfortunately those days came to a close. The worst news of my life was that my parents were building a four bedroom house, a room for each of us. WHAT? Are they trying to ruin my life? I tried to convince the big sis that having our own bedrooms was just a formality and that we could still sleep in the same room. But no can do, she was on board with my parents plan. Finally, she was getting her own room and even my subtle persuasions were not working on her. By subtle I mean… camping outside her door sitting in a mini lawn chair knocking incessantly in hope that she would warmly welcome me to sleep in her full sized bed (which was so cool!). Hours later, just when I thought my bruised knuckles couldn’t take another knock the door opened. With strict obedience I could come in for a snooze, which was great because I was exhausted! The rules were as followed, no talking, coughing or snuggling. It was a tall order, but I was going to do my best. I could refrain from talking and for the snuggling part… well she had to fall asleep sometime… I mean who doesn’t want to snuggle with their little sister anyway? The coughing was a little tricky, I mean geeze I had a cold. So there I was not talking, not snuggling, but my throat had an itch and my little seven year old strength could not keep that cough away. I prayed J. would take mercy which most of the time she did, but there were times when I was exiled, back at square one.

It seemed my parents would always get word of my attempts to have a roommate and they would send me back to my room. There was one thing I learned at a very young age which was that everyone falls asleep eventually. It was tough, but like a good soldier does I would wait until the hour were everyone was in their REM cycle and then ambush. There were many a mornings my sister would wake up to my smiling face and I must say I was always surprised she wasn’t as stoked to see me!

As my sister and I grew up I continued to pester her out of true loyalty. She was my best friend and I was her biggest fan! I will never forget the day my ship came in. We were school clothes shopping, just my sister, my mom and I. It was the 90’s so fashion was in its prime. J spotted the raddest outfit we both had ever seen. If only I were fifteen I would have picked it out for myself. It was official, the outfit would be in her fall line-up for school, “boy is she lucky” I thought. Then it was on to my size. There were the usual stretchy pants and spumoni sweatshirts. (They had scenes with animals doing everyday things such as gymnastics; my favorite was Noah’s arch on an airplane) Just as my line-up was looking very elementary, I laid my eyes on my future. There it was a mini version of the RAD outfit my sister had picked out. Could it be? Where my eyes playing ticks? I was thrilled, to say the least, and it got better, I was getting approval nods from my mom. This was happening; we were finally getting the chance to be twins!!! I tried to lay out the scene for my sister. We could wear them on the same day and take pictures and she could come see me at lunch so all my friends could see how cool, close and twin like we were. For some reason my sister was not buying it… and back on the rack her awesome outfit went. That is when I had to use my secret weapon… the tears. I told her that I wouldn’t wear it on the same day as her (yeah right) and that no one had to know (once again, yeah right). After my mom promised her that we would not have to wear them on the same day she and I both got our matching fashion statement, which by the way were checkered coo lots and a white blouse with a red collar and a checkered pocket. I know what you are thinking, and yes it really was stunning.

The night before school started I started doing my research. What would be J.J.’s premier outfit? Would it be the twin, oh I sure hoped. Day’s went by with no coo lots in sight and just when I was about to lose hope she appeared, looking like a teenage beauty in checks. It was the day; I had been saving my twin outfit for just this time. I ran to my room and put on the mini version, hoping for at least a photo op., but my plan was foiled and she insisted that I change. Though I was sad, I knew I had one more trick up my sleeve. In a little over three months I was going to have a Birthday and surely she could not deny me my one Birthday wish. I started early… say mid October. I put in my Birthday request. As true to Peterson fashion she said “We’ll see”. It was a long wait, but oh so worth it. On my 9th Birthday she and I wore the twin. Sure it was snowing and we were wearing coo lots, but we looked great and fashion will not wait for good weather.

It is true that imitation is the best form of flattery. Whatever my sister did I wanted to do. Wherever my sister went I wanted to go and whatever my sister wore I wanted to wear. More often than not she let me do what she did and go where she went. She drew the line with fashion, but I can’t blame her there. We are adults now and friends, but she will always be my big sister and I will always think she hung the moon (most likely while singing “Lights out love songs”).



Gratitude

• For my RAD big sister!

• I have been able to nurse Noel for five months now.

• My kids love taking baths.

• The cookies that I forgot to put vanilla in are still edible. (in the eyes and mouth of Corbet)

• Many of Dylan’s toys are dishwasher safe!

• It’s summer…finally!

My sister with Plum.  If I had a picture of us as twins on my Birthday you know I would post it and frame it for that matter.  My photo Op. was missed, but the memory is Oh so clear!