Growing up...

When I was 10, my parents rocked my world. They asked me if I would like a brother or a sister. My first thought: adoption. All my friends parents had stopped having babies. When I was 11 years and 12 days old, my little sister was born. I was there, at the hospital, with a pink "I'm the big sister" shirt on.

I was always a wuss about riding roller coasters, or any fast ride-at least until I was in high school. So it was very convenient that I got to go on all the kiddy rides with my sister, even after I was too big/old to go on them.

In middle school, she was always the ice breaker, at dances when my parents chaperoned, in her cheerleading outfit at basketball games, and with my friends.

In high school, she loved to cheer for her sissy-marching in the band and cheerleading at basketball games.

In college, she charmed all my buddies into buying Girl Scout cookies, we sent her a birthday card signed by all my friends, and she decided she wanted to be a Ballerina with the Marching Southerners-and she still does!

She was a bridesmaid at my wedding, and probably should have been Maid of Honor. Sorry, Meg! We danced to "I hope you dance" until my husband cut in. To know how special that was, you need to understand that they have a love/hate relationship, i.e. they love to hate each other-the best picture from the wedding is the one where they are sticking their tongues out at each other!

Today, I cheer for her in the marching band, and when danceline performs at basketball games. I am a leader for her Girl Scout troop, and ride the roller coasters with her! I carry her to JSU basketball and football games, and encourage her in her desire to try out for the 'Rina's.

This weekend, I reflected on how, in the last 16 years, our lives have become entwined in a way that no one could have predicted when she was born. She keeps me young, and I hope I pave her way into this big, wide world.


I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give fate a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

Artist ~ Lee Ann Womack~