Suzie blowing out the candles and me watching with dad

First born Grandchild she was the apple of every one's eyes especially Grandpa who is the one who always called her Suzie, he would have done anything for her.

And Great Grandma and Grandpa!

Here she is all adorable before I came along.

Okay so the picture says this is Suzie and dad and I think it is but if it turns out to be me well just ignore this picture :)

Ah here I am and see how "happy" my sister is to see me...stinky face and all!

We have so many pictures through the years that mimic each other. I have pictures of my children, Suzie's children all standing with snow balls in their hands...Suzie was actually taller than me here.

I swear here it looks like she is protecting me from what I don't know but she was always, has always been my big sister.

Mom and her little sister just to show how similar life can be...

Suzi and I looking like little dolls, I mean real plastic little dolls.

I think I found where my love of fairies came from!

Even as we grew up we were inseparable

Somewhere around this time or maybe even sooner Suzie became mom and mom became a working woman to support us all. I don't know how we siblings would have survived without our sister...

We did grow apart for awhile  me taking the party life while she was left behind with the younger siblings but here me very pregnant with Joey we came right back together again as sisters.

Here is where I could insert every graduation/ wedding  picture ever taken and she would be in it. Not missing one sibling or niece/nephew graduation ever! She is an incredible woman who not only sat by mom's side as she died but was there for Grandma, Grandpa and Dad, even though dad was undeserving, she was still by their side wiping their drool, brows, anything but butts where we all draw the line.

34 years ago she came all the way up to San Fransisco when I had been  staying with Toddy at UCSF and brought my babies with her so I could be with them too. My oldest then 5 and my twin girl just a year old. How many sisters would do that? She came with mom and I finally felt less alone so far from home.

When Joe ended up in the hospital and we realized he was in trouble she drove the 3 hours to take days with me, my daughter and my son's love. When he was transferred to a better hospital, for surgery, she was there the next morning with me, actually I got very lost and we got there at the same time because she followed my directions and I didn't. She helped keep me distracted, laughing about silly things, bringing pictures so the staff could connect with Joe, me staying at work a few times knowing my son was in good hands. That she was not there the day he died was probably a good thing for us both as we handle life with bizarre laughter, very dark humor and many would not understand and find us callous but we are no where near callous we are a loving tight knit family that my sister has kept together.

On my sisters birthday I want to wish her long life and joy and I want her to know she is free to let us go now, free to slow down and enjoy her life with her wonderful, loving husband. She is free to get on that bike and ride as long and as far as she wants to! We will be waiting for her when she returns..

Take that bull by the horns and enjoy life without guilt, without sorrow, without worry.

Life is way to short so sis Happy Birthday to you!! I love you more than I can ever put into words. Thank you for everything you have done for our family, for your siblings.  

  "Now get out there on that bike and ride"!!!!!!!