"Thirty, Flirty, and Thriving!"

It's my older sister Tammy's 30th birthday today, and she truly is "thirty, flirty, and thriving!" For those of you who don't know my sister, I hope you know her a bit better after reading this post. My sister has big beautiful blue-green eyes. Her hair is brown, but in the perfect sunlight, spectacular auburn streaks shine through it. Whether a curse or blessing, Tammy and I both have snow white skin that never seems to tan.
My sister is a poet, although very few know it. From sonnets to haiku, her words dance over the pages in glorious rhythms and rhymes. My sister is an athlete. She has run miles of grassy soccer fields and gymnasium basketball courts, but nowadays her best sport is long distance stroller pushing and quick sprinting after her daughter Grace. My sister is a teacher of rhetoric and thought to BYU students, but also a teacher of colors and songs to her one year old daughter. My sister is a thespian. She brought the stage to life as Millie from "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" and also as a special alto in Madrigals. Now she brings to life stories like "Good Night Moon" and "There were ten in the bed."

My sister is an intellectual. She can hold her own on most any subject of conversation. Her Witt and smarts shine through every word she says. My sister is informed. If time permitted, she'd happily read the newspaper to keep up with current political news, listen to many Diane Rehm pod casts, and read books like "Three cups of Tea." My sister is a strong oak tree. When even the most paralyzing of winds or trials beat upon her, she stands firm and strong.  My sister is a woman of God. Her testimony is unshakable and her insights are abounding.

My Sister is a lover of Shakespeare, movies, books, rustic looking tea pots, Asian literature, poetry, Korean dramas, kimchi, German chocolate cake, art, Greek, Indian, and Thai food, peaceful contemplative places, heartfelt musical lyrics, traveling, Michael Owen, John Stockton, a good burger and shake, and much more. She loves sleep, but loves her daughter more (hence, she doesn't get much sleep).

My Sister is a fabulous friend, daughter, granddaughter, sister, and mother. Although our ages stand ten years apart, my sister and I stand mighty close. We have unique differences, but sometimes we are mirror images of each other. As we've grown older, our bond has grown stronger. So, Happy Birthday to my shining beacon of a sister! Thank you for all the little things you've done that have strengthened me. I hope you have the most beautiful year ever. And to quote Dar Williams, "I'm so glad that you finally made it here, you thought nobody cared, but I did, I could tell, and this is your year, and it always starts here, and oh-oh oh-oh-oh oh-oh, you're aging well." Love you Tammy!

"A ministering Angel shall my sister be" - William Shakespeare