Happy Birthday Vicki.

The later 1970's are the years where I can begin to remember my childhood. Some really good memories I have are times spent with my sister growing up. At the time, I know that I was her punching bag. I know I helped perfect her bowling-ball-flying-across-the-living-room skills by being her target. It only hit me once...in my knee. I was also glad to be a chunky kid otherwise I would have fit into the dryer (gas dryer I might add) and set for an hour. And you know those old Sears dryers were HOT and built to last! Living with her was torture at times, but I had my share that I gave back to her. I can still remember pulling her toes as she would climb up the ladder to get into the top bunk bed. As she would beat me I would yell for my Mom and inevitably my Mom would blame it on her. Go Mom. There were also endless Uno and Sorry tournaments where we were the only players. And seeing who could arrange the Rubik's cube the fastest. Fun times.

After all these years, we still manage to talk to each other. As a matter of fact, we are very, very close. We are closer than I ever thought we'd be. We've been through a lot and grown even closer as we get older. Other memories that I like to think about are staying up late watching The Midnight Special with Wolfman Jack and Solid Gold with Rick Dees. Her endless patience in watching me play Pac Man on my old Atari (which I still have boxed in storage) for hours and hours. Two words---Brady Bunch. Hopscotch outside in the dirt when her clog got stuck in a wet spot and she flipped forward on her face. As I stood laughing at her she grabbed her clog and hit me square in the forehead. The nosebleed at the levee in Henderson makes me laugh so hard. The Sonny and Cher act that no one could beat. I could go on and on and on. There are a lot of memories that I don't think about every day. It's not every day that you take time to think of why you should appreciate a sibling. While sometimes were tough for us, I'm glad we had each other.

My sister is literally a super woman. She has always been a great friend to all of her friends. She is the one everyone counts on to cook a meal or meals for the sick or someone who just had a baby. She is the host at most of our family functions, including long time cook for Thanksgiving, the most important time of year. We depend on her to make suggestions and decisions concerning our health and well being. I secretly call her Dr. Vicki and I don't think my Mom likes that.

Today we celebrate the day of her birth. I won't disclose her age because she definitely doesn't act it. She is such a good person and we love (well, we accept) everything about her. That's what family does. Love each other just the way they are.

Happy Birthday Vicket!

Love,
Baretta