Josette

I heard a story last night about an incident, or circumstance, from when I was younger that made me just love my family that much more. It went something like this...

That summer when I went to meet Shannon's family I really do not remember meeting your parents, however, I do remember meeting you and your sister. You didn't say a word to me, or to hardly anyone actually. You were so quiet and shy. I remember you getting picked on a lot by all of the cousins. I was kind of worried for you because of the amount of grief you were dealt by everyone. When we went to float the Rio Grande in Concan Texas, I noticed that you kept falling behind everyone else. You were in back looking a little scared almost the entire time. I felt really bad for you, but then I noticed your sister, Josette, repeatedly stopping her tube throughout the duration of the adventure, standing up in the middle of the river, and grabbing your hand once you reached her in hopes to keep you from getting left in the dust again. I, then, knew you would be okay.

Told by Mike, my oldest cousin's husband.

Sily as it sounds, that story made me cry my whole drive home last night because I realized how much I am looked after by my immediate family. That incident may have ocurred about 13 years ago, but to this day I still find my sister looking after me.
I spent the weekend in Idaho a couple months ago with my mom, sister, and little nephew Jaren. We met up for a mother-daughter trip during which I was planning to hang out with a guy I was dating. My mom and sister were in the hotel room one night while I went out to see him. I didn't return until late that night (or early in the morning if you want to be technical). Everyone had been asleep so I quietly got ready for bed and slipped in under the covers as to not wake anyone. In the middle of the night, I was awakened to a hand patting my back and kind of feeling around. It stopped shortly after that and I didn't really think much of it due to my slumbering coma. In the morning my sister asked me what time I came in. She then told me she woke up worried in the night because she didn't hear me at all. She got out of bed, walked over to my bed and started feeling around to make sure I had come in safe and sound.

Before I went to bed last night I spent a few moments looking through a picture book my sister had scrapped for me for Christmas a couple years ago. It was of just me and her. Every picture in there indicates the amazing friendship we had growing up. We were best friends! We did everything together and loved playing together. I am so lucky to have had someone like her in my life and to STILL have someone like her in my life. She is a good example to me and I hope that my children will convey the same kind of love to each other that she has to me.