My Three Amigos

I've been thinking the past couple of days about my family, and what they mean to me. I guess being on the other side of the world for 6 months is an easy way to learn to appreciate some things you might take for granted when you're used to having them in your every day life. I'm also just really really excited that my mum is going to be here in 15 days, and can't wait to see her!

I thought though, that I might write a blog dedicated my three beautiful siblings. We've always said that no matter what might happen, or where we might go, we'll always be close and there for each other...and I've definitely felt that since I've been in Australia! So I thought I'd take a minute to attempt some words of appreciation for my brother and sisters...

Donna. My sister with the gift of gab. My basement roomy. You have always had this amazing ability to just know me, without me having to explain anything. You could always finish my sentence of "I have a crush on..." before I had to tell you who. And you always knew if I was in a crummy mood or not having a very good day, just by what music I put on when I went into my room. I always know that if I need something, even if it's not a very big "need"...you'll go above and beyond to try and make it happen. I think you're easily the most selfless out of the four of us...always willing to do a favour, or willing to try to help with finding something, or you'd pick up something random on your way home from work...just to make someone smile. I think I've gotten to talk to you the least while I've been away...especially now that you're off being a hippee and tree planting out west...which has definitely been hard since for the last several years I've had your listening ear and encouraging words at my disposal whenever I needed it, and even when I didn't. I just want you to know that I am so proud of you. Your life plans change nearly on a monthly basis...but you always accomplish what you set out to do. You're full on in your nursing schooling now, which I know you're going to make an amazing career out of. And every day that you're out west planting those trees, I just grow more and more astonished at your incredible strength and might...and get so excited to see how God is going to use that to just change the world.

Dionne. My sister with the gift of sweetness, and a personality that everyone falls in love with. The "mum" out of the four of us...the one with the cooking, sewing, and scrapbooking abilities (and no I'm not teasing Di, I actually do appreciate these talents in you!) I think out of anyone I'm related to..we've had the best fights. I guess it's just that stubborn red-headed gene that we've both got. But no matter what silly argument we had...I always knew that it'd work out okay. You never held a grudge, or came back 2 hours later to continue on the same issue...but you know how to let things go, and only cling to what was important. We used to think that we could never share a room...due to the fact we are opposites on the "cleanliness" scale, amoung other reasons. BUT...we learned that was a lie, and I had an incredible week of being your roomy at Territorial in August last year. I was so glad to have that week of hanging out with you, and just journeying through a lot of "God" stuff that we both worked through that week. And it's always good times when we're both beyond tired....and have to help someone move...and attempt to carry a fish tank down 3 flights of stairs...and then in a car...only to have you kill the poor fish 2 days later. You're my sister with a beautiful smile, a kind heart, and a real love and patience for those people in our lives that others might label off as "annoying." I am so proud of you for perservering through to become a graduate in your ECE program. You've got so many incredible strengths and talents Di..don't ever forget that. I'm so proud of you for all that you've struggled through in various aspects over the past couple of years, and have just come out on top of. God's got such a beautiful plan for you!

Bradley. My little bro. My protector. I remember coming down the stairs the night I was going to my semi-formal in grade 11. I came down just in time to hear you, at 11 years old, telling my date that he better have me home at a decent hour, and treat me right....or else. You're the most like me out of the family (sorry if that's a bad thing!) I know Di, Donna and I had it out for you right from the get-go when we informed mum that if she had a boy, we were throwing him out the window. And I guess there were a lot of times it was a struggle...and honestly, it's beyond me how you survived your childhood with the three of us, and Jocelyn, terrorizing you (well I guess you terrorized us too...). But I've always appreciated our talks bud...and anytime we were hanging out. Whether that was when you were still in a crib and I was forced to share a room with you...or when you were still small enough for me to wrestle you to the ground despite all your attempts to fight back...or when you're hiding out somewhere and I seem to be the only one who is able to find you. But I think I appreciate our talks more then anything now that I'm away...getting to hear you play your newest learnt song on the guitar over the phone, or seeing ridiculous photos of you in a rasta hat, or hearing all about your night out at prom. Every day I'm so impressed with how smart you are, how mature you are, and how many "big questions" you take on as a challenge and try to work through. You have such a huge heart of gold Bradley...you're an absolutely genuine guy, who is so selfless and cares so much for everyone around you. You have such a better grasp on life then I did at 17, and I am so thankful for how amazing you have turned out.

Thank you to all three of you...for all the laughs, for the fights, for the memories, for always being there, for being my pillars of strength, for your listening ears, for knowing me better then anyone in this world and loving me anyways...and for just being you. God has blessed me abundantly...and I'm one very lucky oldest sister.