Sisters
I always wanted a sister of the flesh, but my parents were done after my arrival, so there was no such luck for me.
When I was 10 my big brother got married and I got a sister in spirit. If there is one woman (other than my mom) who has influenced my life, it is my Sheela amama. (We Indians like to show respect to our elders, so it’s on a rare occasion that I call her just Sheela without the amama behind it).
For 24 years now, we’ve seen life unfold before our eyes. Sometimes the unfolding has been gentle and kind and other times, difficult and painful, but for all these years I’ve known that there is a constant when it comes to how much we love one another.
She is one woman who has influenced my taste in clothes,handbags, shoes, makeup and even hairstyles…the woman who bought me my first fancy winter coat, first fancy skirt and blouse set, the firsts of so many things…the one woman who let me cry on her shoulder as an adolescent girl going into my awkward teens dealing with change, insecurity and fear. The one who taught me how to make pot roast and mashed potatoes, chicken piccata, deviled eggs, green bean casserole and the best chocolate chip cookies ever. The one whose house was always so welcoming to me with her signature scent that my own kids now love and feel welcomed by. The one who can draw anyone into conversation, making them feel right at home with her Southern hospitality and charm. Only someone who is both beautiful and talented and of the caliber of a Ms. Oklahoma.
Sometimes when life gets difficult we forget to celebrate the people and the memories that are so meaningful in our lives. The shared experiences that build us up and into the people we are. So today…I want to remember and celebrate this very special woman and all the memories and experiences we share. Today, I don’t want to forget or overlook all that she is to me and to everyone in our family. Today, I want to celebrate my big sister Sheela. If you are hanging out at my blog, please wish her a happy birthday also!
I love you darling Sheela amama and I’m so thankful for your presence in my life and cannot wait to see what the future holds for us all!
Hey, I thought of you when I saw this quote. Enjoy.
Games require skill. Running requires endurance, character, pride, physical strength, and mental toughness. Running is a test, not a game. A test of faith, belief, will, and trust in ones self. So hardcore that it needs a category all to itself to define the pain. When game players criticize, it’s because they aren’t willing to understand, not because they’re stronger. Running is more than a sport; it’s a lifestyle. If you have to ask us why we run, you’ll never understand, so just accept.
– Jessica Propst