February 1st on the 2nd

February 1st:

The first day of the "month of me" came around with a gift of a whole day to myself.  I left the house at 7:50AM and didn't return until almost 9:30PM.  Although, I had errands to run and play rehearsal, it was somewhat blissful being uninterrupted in my schedule or lack thereof.  One of the best parts of the day was carving out a bit of time to hang out with my one and only sister, Jessi.   I took over our favorite grocery store sushi (Oooh, fancy!) and homemade cookie pie and we picnicked at her work.  It's always so nice to spend time with her.  She makes me laugh easier than anyone I know.  She is also the best sounding board I have in my life.  She listens intently and thoughtfully gives her feedback.  The person who can infuriate me more than anyone else is her and yet, she is the same person I want to share my deepest heartdreams with.  She knows me.  She loves me.  She remembers me... that me from childhood. 

 Through her eyes I can see those silly girls who used to put on variety shows for their parents, complete with costumes and makeup.  I see those dramatic girls that used to make up crazy commercials or soap opera story lines and record all the voices of those characters on their little, red tape recorder and laugh uproariously when playing them back.  Being "the big sister" wasn't always easy or fun for either one of us.  I often resented having to be the responsible babysitter and treated her unkindly but she never lost faith in me and I always loved her... although I still remember that time I was in 2nd grade and she drew all over my Miss Piggy puppet with a ballpoint pen while I was at school, but I digress.  (I promise I'm over it... sort of.)   I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything. We share family... memories... life that no one else can share.  She is part of me...