Thankful Tuesday - My Sister

Okay, so I forgot to post this Thankful Tuesday list on Tuesday, but I did start making the list on Tuesday...it just didn't make it to the blog until Wednesday. Better late than never.

This Thankful Tuesday list is about my sister, Rebecca.
(This is picture of the two of us when we were very small).

1. I'm thankful to have a sister who encourages me to overcome my fear of flying and hop on a plane with her to Hawaii. Even though I've never given in, she never stops encouraging me to go! She never gives up on me.

2. This one is kind of related to #1. When we were little, Rebecca patiently taught me how to roller skate. Our driveway had these four concrete lines (picture a guide for car tires so that they make it into the correct place in the carport). That's not a really good description, but it's the best I can do. We would put our blue and red roller skates on and Rebecca would stand facing me, about 5-10 feet away. She would call for me to skate to her. She held my hands when I needed steadying. She moved farther back when I was on a really good run. She moved in closer when I was afraid. She's pretty much done this for me in lots of ways all of my life. She patiently teaches me and encourages me to take risks. She challenges me!

3. I am thankful for a sister who was a great example for me growing up.

4. I am thankful for a sister who buys really great gifts. She puts a lot of thought into gift giving, and she always has the best wrapped gifts at Christmas. She got the wrapping gene in the family. I, on the other hand, did not! If we lived closer, I would let her wrap all of my gifts!

5. I am thankful for a sister who taught me how to be independent. When I moved away to college, I knew how to immerse myself in the community. I knew the importance of finding a strong church family. I knew the importance of making my own way and not being completely dependent on others. I knew this because she was my example.

6. I am thankful for a sister who is dearly loved by those around her. When she got married this past December, I finally got to meet all of the friends she talks about all of the time. I saw how much all of these people dearly love her and care for her. She really is special. I'm glad other people see it, too.

7. I am thankful for a sister who loved me enough to figure out ways to give me lots of experience washing dishes. Unfortunately, I didn't realize this until later in life, but Rebecca really is a giver. She wanted to give me the dish washing experience as much as possible. She had two ways (at least two ways that I've figured out thus far). #1 - On her night to help my mom clean up after dinner, she would often instigate an argument at the dinner table with my dad. This made me very uncomfortable, and I would usually try to get them to stop arguing. My mom, in her infinite wisdom, always realized that neither she nor I needed to be a part of the show, so she would always ask me to help her clear the table and wash dishes. And we did. In the midst of some of the biggest, knock down drag out fights you've ever heard. Interestingly enough, the fight was over right around the time the dishes were washed and everything was cleaned up. I'm convinced Rebecca did this just to avoid washing dishes. #2 - If we were ever told to wash the dishes together, she would always grab the spray hose at the sink and consistently spray me with it until I finally told her to just go away and let me wash the dishes by myself. It was much better than being soaking wet at the end of the chore. Now, looking back, I see that Rebecca was just being selfless and making sure that I had plenty of experience washing dishes!

8. I am thankful for my sister's sense of humor. Her stories about her travels around the world and just her life in general always keep us entertained.

9. I am thankful for the sisterly bond we share. I can tell my sister things that I can't or won't tell anyone else. She always has my best interest at heart and is a great secret keeper!

10. I am thankful for the man she brought into our family, my brother-in-law, Richard. I am so happy that the two of them found one another. They compliment each other so well, and she really is happy! That's a great thing to see.

My sister and I are different in so many ways, but I love her completely! I am thankful that God placed us in the same family so that I could learn from her, be challenged by her, and be loved by her.