Another day in August…another milestone. Joy and sadness. Laughter and tears. This was originally posted in Sweet Journey Home on August 6, 2013. What can I say? I don’t think I can say it any better. I look forward to seeing my family in the South the first two weeks of October. My niece Cindy makes everyone’s heart sing and laugh! Here she is in the pic below with her two wonderful children. Happy Birthday, Cindy! I love you!
The Sixth Day of August…
There are some days in life that are just bittersweet…today is one of those days.
On a sweet note, today is Cindy’s birthday. She is my sister Gerry’s firstborn. Cindy is beautiful with a heart of gold…just like her late Mom. She has an ever ready smile and a wonderful sense of humor. We are always laughing when we’re all together. An amazing pianist and wonderful teacher, she must bless the hearts of the students at the college where she teaches. No doubt, she blesses the hearts of our entire family…just as she blesses mine. Happy Birthday, Cindy! I love you. Wish I could be there to celebrate with all of you! But I will see you in October!
Love this photo from about 1957. Cindy was almost 5 and I was 12. (Guessing at the year and ages here.)
Apparently, I’d propped her up in the car window! I was a really good baby sitter!
Sadly, today also marks the tenth anniversary of my beautiful sister Dot’s death. She fought a courageous battle against AML (Acute Myloid Leukemia) but Heaven needed her. She had such strength and optimism. She believed in FAMILY more than anyone I have ever known. Dot remembered special days with a card, a note or a call. She organized family reunions and made sure that we all got together. She had a gift for staying in touch. Dot had the burden/privilege of being the oldest…maybe that comes with the territory. As I shared in the previous post, searching for our family roots was Dot’s inspiration and I will honor her by finishing it. She would like that.
How I would love to answer the phone and hear her quip one more time, “Hello! What’s going on besides the rent?” with that smile in her voice. I miss her every single day…but I will see her in Heaven.
I love this picture of my sister when she was about 21 years old.
10 Comments
Val Metcalfe
Hi Dianne, have just recently started reading you blog and I’m really enjoying it. Your love for your children and grandchildren certainly shines through! Today (6th August) is my son’s 23rd birthdays. He is now living and working in London and this is the first birthday that I haven’t seen him on the day. As you say we give them wings and let them fly. Best wishes to you. Val M
Dianne
Hi, Val! Thank you so much for reading and for your sweet comment. Happy Birthday to your son! How great that you’ll have a wonderful place to visit too!
Val Metcalfe
Hi Dianne
What a lovely surprise to receive a reply from you. I live about three hundred and fifty miles from my son (in Newcastle upon Tyne, England) which is not far by American standards I know. My sister and I are going to visit him this weekend and we are so looking forward to seeing him and seeing some of the sights.. You must miss your big sister Cindy – she looks so lovely in the photograph.
Regards
Val M
Dianne
How wonderful, Val! You’re already IN Great Britain! England is definitely on my bucket list along with Scotland, Ireland, Wales. And I’ve recently added seeing Port Isaac, Cornwall, since I love Doc Martin! I have to correct one thing before my “baby” niece kills me: Cindy is the firstborn of my dear late sister Gerry. She is 7 years younger than I – almost 8 years. 😉 I was born when my parents were 41, with 3 older sisters, so I was a young “aunt” and thought they were all my living dolls! 😉
Val Metcalfe
Apologies Dianne – I meant to say your big sister Dot and not Cindy. You certainly seem to come from a big loving family. We are not far from Scotland here in the North East of England and I have already been there twice this year and am going back again for a holiday in September.. I went to Ireland when I was two so can’t remember much about that and I have been to Wales once and Cornwall once. I hope you get your wish and get to visit the UK one day.
Regards and apologies once again – Val.
Dianne
Nothing to apologize for at all, Val! Sometimes I’d like to be the youngest instead of the oldest now – except for my beloved sister Eunice is who is 11 years older and, thankfully, still on this earth with me! Have a wonderful day – or evening there! I’m so glad you found my blog! 😉
quilt32
Lovely post.
Lillian
Dianne
Thank you, Lillian!
Elle
Cindy is the spitting image of her mom, isn’t she?
Dianne
Yes, Elle, she is very much like her Mom, my sister Gerry! She has the same sweet spirit and kind heart too. Thank you for the comment!