My sister had a birthday yesterday!  I will not embarrass her with the age as I intend to send a link to this for her.  But let me tell you about her.

She was born of my stepfather and mother.  In fact, I had to sleep with my stepfather as he would not wake form anything and my mother was in the hospital in a difficult labor (this was the X0s - no birthing rooms!).  So about 2am, on October 14th in the year of our lord 19xx, I got a call.  I woke my step father and told him he was a father!

She was puny at birth!  So much so that when they finally came home (after about 5 days), I raced home from school to see my new sister!  I looked in the crib, and could not find her!  My mother pointed to a bump in the blanket and said that was her.  "she is so Dinky!".  And thus was born her nickname.  For 6 years at least!  Dinky was almost a toy to the other 4 of us, as the difference in the age, between my youngest (at the time) brother and her was 9 years.  I changed my first diaper on her, and yes, I dropped her as well (Sorry Sis!).

But to watch her grow, as I was an adolescent, was such a joy!  We had a German Shepperd who got pregnant (she died when we tried to have her spade), and we kept her littlelest puppy.  Sorry about that.  That was his name!  and he use to crawl in the crib with my sister and fight her for her bottle!  That was precious.

I did say I was the godfather, and indeed I am.  For in those days, Catholics were confirmed in the 4th grade, so I was qualified.

As we grew, I had other things that took  my time, and I did nor really pay a lot of attention to her, except when babysitting (Built in ones for my mother, eh?).  Before I knew it, I was off to college and she was off to school!  Where she did very well.  She is still the toeheaded among us (Guys do love blonds, right?).

After College, I married (that is all I will say), and we drifted apart.  I found out later why.  Needless to say the best thing that ever happened to me was my divorce.  I did not know why my family shunned me, until then.  They were not shunning me, just the ex and what she tried to do to the family.  But they never told me until the divorce.  In truth, would I have believed them before then?  Probably not.

After the divorce, my Ex was using my children against me (how dare you leave me you worthless worm!  I will make your life a living hell!  Just you wait my pretty).  Sorry, got off topic then.

Yes, I actually was suicidal at one point, and negicidal for a long period (i.e. you don't give a damn if you live or die).  But my Sis would not have it.  Although she had broken off contact me, because of my ex, long ago, when this happened, she jumped back in with both feet flying!

She got my mother to re-establish contact with me (something that my ex-wife, through lies, had convinced me to stop).  She bitch slapped me and grabbed me by the collar!  And told me to get out of it (not over, out).

And so I started to fight the ex.  And eventually got visitation restored with my children.  Some of them are damaged due to that, but that is no ones fault but mine and mostly, the Bitch.

After I started to heal, she had her own problems with her husband.  By this time, I had bought a big house, and it was barely occupied, except when my children were here.  She left her husband (no abuse, just neglect), and moved in.  And for a year, Brother and sister were house mates!  Along with her precious Son! My favorite nephew.

I asked for nothing, but she paid in full!  She took care of their food, and cleaned the house and yard (my back hurts after the raking and weed whacking today!) and this was one of those Mr. Clean houses!

Eventually, I met my wife.  I proposed.  The house was still more than big enough, but my sister knew that 2 women in a house (I don't know this!) is one too many, so she moved out.

She finally met a good man and married him, and while her first husband does have visitation with my favorite nephew, her husband is a father to him, a dad.  And a good one he is!  At first I thought he was too old!  Then I realized my baby sister was celebrating too many 29th birthdays as well!  So he is not.  And every time I visit her and talk to her, it is apparent that he loves her, and my nephew.

But I wanted to write this out of thanks.  For my God Daughter, My sister, My friend.  You were my first experience with a baby, and you have always been my precious little Dinky (sorry).  And you turned out to be my best friend.

Thank you for being all you have been to me.  I love you sis!  And always will. Happy belated birthday.