Answer the Phone!

“Mom! Meggie is calling you!” I am hastily re-organizing the kids bedroom when my eight yr old runs in and shoves the phone in my hand. I can answer or wait until later and call her back. “She's your sister, answer the phone!” shouts one voice in my head. The other voice says “ Call her back when you actually have time to listen.” I know full well choosing B does not promise Meg an actual call back tonight, maybe a text, maybe. The phone continues playing the song that tells me it's Meggie.

“If I answer this room will not be organized before bedtime and the kids will have no idea where their underwear are in the morning and.... oh never mind, Hey Meg!” I hear small sniffles from the other end and a strained voice says “ Can I come visit you?” Whew! I almost blew that one. For whatever reason it was me who my littlest sister needed at this moment. Had I not answered, she may have called someone else, but I was the one she wanted comfort from.

Meggie was feeling horribly lonely. Married only a year her husband was working long hours, days and nights as a firefighter to help them get ahead. Of course I said yes, and a few days later I had 3 days with my little sister along side me while I did Mom stuff. She made me laugh and helped homework/dinner times go much more smoothly.

I am honored to be the biggest sister to my two younger sisters. Meggie is 12 years younger than me and Whitney 4. I have a special bond with both. The older I get the more serious I take my job as oldest sis. If I didn't they would likely find other people to fill in but no one can be their big sis exactly like I can. It's not about being in charge of them, like when we were little and Mom and Dad went on Date Nights. Or about giving them rides, or protecting them from mean girls. My role now is more about cherishing them. I can encourage, listen, and dote on. Our mother can do all these and my sisters lack nothing in the way of a nourishing supporting mother. However, when they are sad and want to cry with someone ,or lonely and seek companionship I delight in giving them these things.

 fun picnic in Corpus

 Meg's Wedding

 Lovely Whitney, not so lovely me

 Mom's Carnival Party

Making biscuits with Mama and girls at Meg's new house.  

I am sort of jealous of Whitney, the middle sis, because she is able to be both little sister and big sister. I have no idea what it would be like to have an older sister, but something tells me I was not cut out for that as the whole having someone boss me around sounds horrible. My little sisters take my bossing with gracious smiles and now and then they will narrow their eyes or even roll them. Now that I am thirty six I have learned that those eyes mean I had better stop or they are going to stop letting me be in charge. As we have gotten older I certainly am not actually in charge when we are together, all the time. During my parents recent divorce, Whitney took the lead on hard confrontations and was also the leader in peace making get- togethers. Meggie is our gal when it's time to plan an event. She makes any gathering a wild fun party complete with decorations and activities that are actually fun. She also is a hoot so one is never left feeling dry or prudish after being with her as she will make your stomach ache from laughing which is the best medicine for feeling dried up. That said, both girls make me feel as though they need me and want me close. I am not as sweet or funny or creative as either one of them, but I am their big sister and when they call I hope I always answer.