Always There

She has always been there...

I remember Ann telling of when they got the news that they had a baby sister. Her and Tim danced around Grandma's living room! So I don't know what happened the day Ann was born, there is no one left to tell of it, but I can imagine the joy and delight Dad & Mom must've felt that day to finally hold their first child.

Ann is 5 years older than I, so we weren't that close growing up. She often had her nose in a book or was helping Mom bake in the kitchen. The one year that we home schooled, she was my teacher. As the years went by the age difference didn't seem to matter as much anymore.

She moved back to Kansas in '89 and begged me to come, as well. About 6 months later, I did. We lived together several years and when Dad & Mom moved back they wanted us to move in with them. Neither of us married and so we have spent many of our adult years together. Youth group activities, traveling, attending the same churches, working up North and caring for Dad & Mom are some of the things we have done. We have worked together to make holidays special when Mom no longer could.

For many years she worked as secretary/office manager for Nisly Brothers Trash Service. Of late, she let that go to stay at home and care for Mom. Tending her garden and chickens along the way is a delight. She has a big heart and generously shares, from eggs to home-baked goods to garden produce. Recently she took up cheese-making, as well. I can testify to the goodness! She has a beautiful, white dog, named Teddy, that she has spent hours training.

Ann is persistent and courageous and willing to take risks to pursue her dreams.

She has been there through my ups and downs, encouraged me when others put me down, helped me pursue my dreams and let me talk when that is what was needed. We live on the same road and she often invites me for supper, serving up nutritious and tasty food.

I can't imagine life without her!

Thanks for always being there, Ann, and being someone I know I can count on! You are loved!

A Sister Beloved

One of my earliest memories is when I was nearly 3 years old and Mom brought my new baby sister home from the hospital.  I begged to hold her! What a sweet bundle of preciousness!

We had lots of fun growing up! One of our favorite things to do was play "church". Often we sat on the steps with our dolls. They always needed a snack of Cheerios. On warm summer days we had "church" on the front porch. Now our babies were the cats. Oh, they were so bad, we often had to take them out and spank them. Their snack was dog food. If they sat still long enough we dressed them in doll dresses.

We often shared a room and sometimes even a bed. We would talk late into the night till finally we had to get up to go to the bathroom. Softly we would creep down the hall, holding the laughter inside so Mom & Dad wouldn't hear us.

Mom often made us matching dresses - same fabric but different colors. At one stage we were very much the same size and were sometimes mistaken for twins.

Sarah married at a young age and moved to Canada. Over the years she raised 7 children.

She is courageous , self-sacrificing and generous! For many years she has lived far from her family, for the sake of her own. She has a hearty laugh that is infectious. Sarah is a fabulous cook! She makes French Toast with delicious fruit sauces and her pie crust is flaky and tasty!

When the children were young I often went to visit, especially when a new little one was added to the family. Such fun times of rocking babies and late-night talks! In more recent years I have not gotten to make the trek so often.

This past Christmas, however, once again found me in the cold, snow-laden north! This time there were no babies but instead a houseful of teenagers and more! What a delight to relate on a different level. Sarah was still doing what she does well - cooking! She saw, with precision, to the details of comfort she knew I would like - down to the slippers and hairdryer. It spite of the many tasks and responsibilities that come with running a busy household, she made sure I was loved on, taken care of and spoiled!

What a gift and ray of sunshine Sarah has been to our family! We love you, Sarah!