Treasure Tuesday

As with every treasure there is a story behind it. Here is today's story.

My parents divorced when I was around 8. My brother and I lived with my dad. When he remarried she already had a son so I instantly gained another brother. A couple of years later when I was 10 they were having a baby. Oh how I wanted a baby sister! I already had 2 brothers, there needed to be another girl to balance things out right? It wasn't meant to be though as I got a 3rd brother. (He was a wonderful sibling despite not being a girl though! And I just found out my "baby" brother is getting married next May - man kids grow up fast don't they?!)

My mom also remarried and when I found out she was pregnant I again hoped, wished and prayed for a sister. This time it happened - I finally had a sister! But I was 16 by this time and living overseas in Germany...I missed that "baby" stage!

About 8 months after I graduated from high school I moved in with my mom and lived with them for about 4 years. Since there is a 16-yr age difference between my sister and myself I didn't really get to "grow up" having a sister around, but I loved having a sister nonetheless.

And I have had the privledge of watching her grow up into this beautiful person instead. My little sister will start this school year as a senior and I can hardly believe it. She'll be graduating next year and it doesn't seem possible.

Up until the 8th grade she attended a private, Christian school. Then in 9th grade she went to the public high school and I thought wow what a culture shock that will be for her! I wonder how she'll handle it. She made the transition flawlessly; didn't even seem to phase her!

She does so much in high school - much more than I ever did. She was not only on her school's soccer team, but also the local town's team (indoor and outdoor soccer), at one time she did volleyball too. Now she also does track and swimming. She takes mostly honors classes.

This year she added something else to her resume. She took a fire rescue/training course which included EMT training. She completed this course with the 2nd highest academic scores. My 16 yr old sister is a certified EMT and a volunteer firefighter - she spends some weekends at the firestation and goes out on calls.

She accomplished this all while still going to school and maintaining A/B averages in those honors classes, on top of homework, going to youth groups and church, and just hanging out with her friends.

I don't know how she did it/still does it. She continued to stay busy this summer - she's a lifeguard and she took a school trip to England and Ireland.

Not only am I in awe of all she has done, I am so very impressed, and so very proud of her.

Here is my beautiful little sister with her senior pictures...my treasure...my sister...