Happy Birthday, Lucy.

Well, it's happened. Lucy turned 1 today.

While keeping the private details of the situation, well...private, I will tell you that Lucy's birth was somewhat dramatic. She was born almost 2 months early and Jenn was very sick afterward...so, the point is that today is a real celebration.

But on top of celebrating the first year and birth of sweet baby Lucy, I've been thinking a lot this week about the fact that for a whole year...Mia has been a big sister.

Last week I talked about all of the love and laughter in my life but, more specifically, the things that made a tough time for me a little bit easier. Before I posted this blog, I was fully aware that I had not mentioned my sister, Burton. I could not come up with a specific point or story about her, and in keeping with the rules of creative writing, I decided to leave her out.

Right on cue, I received a text from my sister:

"I read your blog...thanks a heap for the shout out."

So I told her the truth...while I could have just said how much I love her without a creative or entertaining anecdote to go along with it, I felt that that would only cheapen it.

So...I've been thinking about sisters.

Mia and Lucy have now been sisters for one year. So far, that means adjusting to sharing Mom and Dad's attention, being really excited when the younger sister does something new, and learning to not squeeze or pull or push or bite too hard.

But I've been thinking about the things that Mia and Lucy have to look forward to in the coming years of sisterhood.

And so on your first birthday, sweet Lucy, these are some of the things that having a big sister has meant to me...

Never having to buy your own clothes. You've already been wearing a lot of Mia's old clothes, so I know you're used to this. But don't worry, one day soon you and Mia will wear the same size and you're not going to have to wear hand-me-downs anymore...you'll get to steal her clothes right out of laundry hamper. (I'll give you tips on this when you're older.)

Not having to take care of yourself. Once, when I was in the 3rd grade and Burton was in 7th, she came to visit me on a day when I was in school and she wasn't. She promptly unfastened my belt, as well as my pants, and proceeded to tuck in my shirt and then re-fasten my pants and belt...in front of the entire class. I only tell you this so that in case you are a bit messy as I am, and Mia is a bit uptight as Burton is...you'll be prepared.

Never having to be alone. You might have to share a room with Mia...but it's okay, Burton and I shared a room until I was 14 when she left for college. I slept on the floor in my parents' room for weeks. I just couldn't get used to sleeping by myself. When you've grown up having someone to talk to every single night until you both fall asleep...a dark, quiet room is the last place in the world you want to be at bedtime.

You will always have someone to stick up for you when things get hard...to tell you that you're doing the right thing, or perhaps to tell you that you're doing the wrong thing.

Lucy, Burton is my best friend. She always has been, and she always will be. I am confident that Mia will be yours too. She may push you over, or squeeze you too hard, or steal attention now...but one day, you're going to be struggling with something and Mia will be the only person in the world you'll want to turn to. (I won't even mention the things that Mom doesn't want to hear about...i.e. how much you look like her, which will come in quite handy when she has a legal I.D., you know, in case you want to buy a lottery ticket or rent a car or vote...)

So, on your 1st birthday Lucy, I'm imagining you posing with Mia at your highschool graduation, or standing up with Mia as her Maid of Honor, or bothering Mia about giving you a niece or a nephew...all of these things are things that I enjoy as a part of being Burton's little sister...and I can't wait for you to be able to enjoy these things with Mia.

I love you so much, sweet Lucy, Happy Birthday.

Welcome to the blog, Burton.


"One's sister is part of one's essential self...an eternal presence of one's heart, soul, and memory."
-Susan Cabil