birthday celebrations for my balance & bliss

i once read somewhere that a sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost. today my sister turns 31 and i'm beaming with celebratory pride that i am so tightly connected to such an incredible lady. growing up together teaches you a lot of things about each other, some good and some not so good {we're all human of course}, so it's no wonder some siblings don't remain close. but we're lucky ones. our friendship has always been there, and grew even tighter once we both left the nest. we know more about each other than any two other people. and now we're so close that rarely one day goes by without contacting each other.
we're almost two years apart, but when we were little people often asked if we were twins. we have the same nose, and some of the same gestures & manurisms, but she's definitely a unique gem all her own. she's the younger one, but the taller one {by 6 inches}. she's the darker one, and by far the prettier one {drop-dead gorgeous, actually}. she's steadfastly loyal, has a beautiful sentimental side, and a fantastically strong will. she's a perfect gemini goddess. she's very wise and the hardest worker i've ever known. she has a calm confidence and a fantastic sense of humor ~ she's a big flirt, and makes any activity more fun. she stayed closer to home, although she did venture far enough to live with me in seattle for a while after college. she has so many talents and skills and inner gifts i couldn't begin to name them all. i am so grateful for all the balance and bliss she has brought to my life. i admire her for every thing she does and is. and there's nothing i wouldn't do for her. a sister ~ she is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. she is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. she is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. she is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. some days, she's the reason you wish you were an only child. ~barbara alpert {but that last part i haven't felt since we were pre-teens sharing the same bedroom} :o)
happy birthday, jessica grace, i love you more than words can tell!