Sisters...

 

My sister celebrated her 60th birthday a few months ago. Although I am only a couple of years from reaching this life milestone as well, it was a wonderful time to remember all the "fun" things we did growing up together in our hometown. I wrote this letter to my sister on her 60th birthday...

Dear Sandra- Happy Birthday!         November 9, 2013

This is such a special milestone in your life. As sisters we are connected by our childhood home in Lyons.  As we were growing up there were things we did as young children that didn't seem to mean all that much at the time and even as years pasted, not giving much thought to these childhood experiences.  But...now as adults it is so much fun to think back on all the interesting things we did, what they really meant to us and how "lucky" we were to experience them!

This is what I remember... Catching lightening bugs in the back yard, sledding down Chippie's Hill, trips to Roseland Park, skating on a pond or the community center ice rink, fishing with a bamboo pole, playing with the baby chicks in grandma's basement, swimming in our pool, apple picking, playing in the chicken coop at grandma's house, picking raspberries eating gooseberries, the smell of fresh baked cookies...mom made the best cookies, dressing up to go to church, having a grape fight with neighborhood kids, riding the tug boats between the canal locks, climbing aboard the caboose at the train station, sleeping at grandma's house in the old iron beds...listening to the trains go by, bundling up to play in the snow, family trips...all squeezed into the back seat of Dad's car, country rides to see the deer, fresh baked bread with peanut butter on it...Yum, and all the wonderful birthday celebrations with family...enjoying mom's great cooking, presents, cake and ice cream!

My wish for you is to have a wonderful 60th birthday and many returns! May our childhood memories be a source of many "smiles" for you as you think back on our experiences growing up!

Remember...."A sister is a little of childhood that can never be lost" by M.Garretty. Love, Chris