Thankful for Sibling Bond

As the oldest of four incredible, singular siblings, I have had the chance to see my best friends grow up with like traits yet monumental differences. I like to think my siblings are the best there are. We have a connection and an understanding of one another that is impossible to measure. The inside jokes, the tears, the laughs, the simplest look and understanding what they are thinking. All are aspects I am thankful for and tis the season, I am thankful for…

Max- Your relentless compassion for those around you. You are the perfect missionary, not just for the church but for everything that is good. Your strive for knowledge is comparable to none. The way you think of others before yourself. The fights we use to have. That you have a complete knowledge of what is going through my head and when I am stressed without my mentioning and won’t let me leave without talking about it. That you love Harry Potter. That I can ask you to dress up with me and you don’t hesitate to say yes. Your giddiness for fun. Your intense creativity. That you are my best friend. Your willingness to keep an open mind. Your love and passion to become a Mason. That you are a mythological dictionary. Your love for random, useless holidays. i.e. arbor day. Your twirls and funny sounds you make when you use to play alone. That you are a video game coinsurer. That next time I write a thankful for note…you will be home.


You have no idea how hard it’s been for me with you gone. I have tried not to let on to it because you are missed by everyone but I know I have missed you the most. Mom may contend my stating that, but matter of the fact is, we had the best relationship of anyone. I could talk to you at any time of day and you would drop immediately what you were doing and just talk. If I wanted to plan a get together, you were the first to have ideas and willing to help throw fun gatherings. I love how excited you get when I have news, whether its big or small news. If you see I am excited, you are excited. Can’t wait for you to come home. Miss you more than you know.


Eric- Your quiet, trusting personality. You are 100% different than Max and are your own person. That in spite of the shit you have been through, your faithfulness to what you know is right hasn’t wavered. You are your own person with your own talents and aspirations. When you have a goal, you reach it and won’t let anything stand in your way. Since you were born, we have had a special relationship. Words can’t describe it, but our understanding of each other is unique. That you are willing to help fix something if I need help. Your messy room. Your pop can collection, that sadly no longer exists. That in a family of various success, you find your own talents and passion that differs from everyone else. Your relationship with Brian. The way you watch and protect Emily. Your fashion sense. That you are a romantic. That you follow your instincts and don’t surround yourself with garbage material or garbage people. Your faith in others is strong. You will do anything to make sure those around you succeed.


Emily- We are exactly the same but complete opposites. That we can laugh and laugh and laugh uncontrollably about something that others see stupid. Your open flatulence. It’s impossible to embarrass you. Your fun, willing to do anything personality. Your focus is remarkable. They way you zone in to what you are doing and block out all other distractions is bar none. You are the most talented person I know. Anything you attempt, you accomplish. Your perfectionist attitude toward life. Your unwillingness to brag about your talents. You are the strongest girl I know. That you love clothes, but aren’t a psycho about your looks. You love to eat. Every time we see each other, it’s like we haven’t missed a beat. That you get so excited to see Brian and me when we come over. Your sarcasm. That you can do hair. You will always be my baby sister.

What are you thankful for?

Forcing Common Courtesy

Let me set the scene for you. Greasy floors, dim lighted rooms, germ infested seats and money fleeting from your wallets…  You guessed it. We are in a theater and are preparing ourselves for a 2 hour adventure of pleasure.  I adore visiting the theater. It’s ten times more exciting than watching it at home…well that can be stimulating too, but I will leave that to your imagination.  The smell of burnt popcorn. The immediate sensation of your pores  being overcome with grease, and the smell of others that you will have the pleasure of sitting next to in a dark, not knowing what the heck they have done previous to being next to you. I have a routine when I go to the movies…

1.       Decide what cinema I would like to waste 2 hours of my life on.

2.       Determine the time I will be viewing this show.

3.       Find a date, usually the hubby…not always.

4.       Buy the tickets.

5.       Groan and moan about the price of the tickets.

6.       Strive with hope to the concession stand.

7.       Hope deflates as I look at the prices of the trans fat globules that may enter my body.    

Ok this is taking way to long . We find our seats and I immediately put my feet up on the back of the seats in front of me to avoid the pleasant viewers following us, from sitting smack dab in front of us. Does it help? No.  They may think I am being rude and obnoxious, but their assumptions are all wrong. All I am doing is classically conditioning those around me to learn common courtesy. What do you mean, you ask? Well imagine an empty theatre. You are the first in the theatre and have your choice of infinite soiled seats. Joyous right? Who doesn’t want the best seat in town? Well now imagine sitting down, settling your treats, drinks and purse when those “people” and I use that term lightly, enter the theatre. They have drinks that will guarantee a few trips to the restroom, and enough popcorn that settles the mystery on why their body weight is more than Brian’s and my own combined. Well they have the second choice of seats. And of course, with my feet on the back of the chair, they sit right in front of us. REALLY!?! I am obviously saying to keep on walking, yet the plunder of your steps can’t continue, so you decide to stop and throw my future movie enjoyment in total disarray. I perceptibly am telling you that the seat in front of me is not an option, and am ever so bluntly telling you to keep walking and you don’t. You don’t?   My crap!