You say it's your birthday, it's her birthday too!

Today is a dual birthday. Luisa and Sharon share the same day. I was going to pull out some Sharon pictures but I just haven't made it up to the attic. I am not really sure how I don't have recent ones on my computer. The thing about it is that Sharon is the most easy going person I know and will not be bothered in the least by this. I will never forget meeting Sharon for the first time. My Dad did not want her in the house. We had been in limbo on house renovations and it was just my dad and us girls and it was not pretty. He sent Pat and I out to keep her entertained while he dressed. I am sure we made complete fools of ourselves, but she came back and soon enough she was our step mom. Sharon is at complete ease with who she is and I am always impressed with that. She is always a sounding board for us and tells us what we need to hear, not what we want. She gives me great advice and has taught me a great many life lessons. Right now she and my dad are taking care of my grandparents. They live upstairs and handle the house and meals and getting them around. It has been difficult for them and I really admire them for doing that. I really,really love her and I hope she has a great day today.
Now, onto Luisa. Today she is 33. Two years younger than me and two older than Alex. Growing up we always looked alike. We got a lot of "Are you twins?" but we really could not have been more different.
Luisa has always been more quiet. I would say she is way more strong willed though. She was always happy to hang out and read or watch TV with Grandma. She was happy and easygoing, but when you made her mad...watch out. She would bite her hand and the kicking would commence.
She was always a peacemaker. I remember several times that my Mother would have us cornered,trying to figure who did what and Luisa would always confess. Most often she had not been the culprit, but she would take the heat. She has always been happy to do anything for us.
You probably know already, but my sister has 7 kids. It's a lot of work and Luisa works full time in addition to the kids. She is a loving mother. She adores each of her kids and not enough is said about the good things that she has done for them. They are devoted to her and when I try to lure them away to come live with me(yes you baby Seven) they always want their Mom. Except Malachi, he is Nicoes(much to Petes dismay).

Luisa is an avid reader. We are alike in that way. We are both fast, intense readers. We love both trashy magazines and great literary works. She has passed this onto her daughter and it is fun to see Nicoe, like her Mom, doing something with one hand and a book in the other.
It has been really interesting, living close, us three. I will not lie and say it hasn't been without difficulties. It is hard to be adults and not be able to jump in and take over with Luisa. That has always been the way. She is older now and doesn't do what I tell her like when we were young. She is her own person and has her own way. She has made a life for herself here, independent of me and I need to respect that. I have enjoyed being with her. I have always had a close relationship with Luisa.
This picture most represents us in my mind. I was a brat and Luisa smoothed things over. We shared a bed until middle school when we moved into the converted garage together. Sometimes now, when we are talking, she will remind me of something I used to say or do and it makes me realize that she knows more about me than I do sometimes. That's how it is with Luisa, she just knows me, like it or not and I hope she know same goes the other way. I will never abandon her, I will always be behind her, pushing her and making her mad, but I just want to be there for her and try to help. She is toto to my Dorothy and Raggedy Andy to my Raggedy Ann. I love you Luisa and I hope that you have a truly enjoyable day.
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