Grateful For Corky

I know you hate when I call you that, if you're reading this.

Corky (Courtney) is my sister. She turned 16 this past Saturday, the 22nd. I'm grateful for my sister this week; I should say, this month, as this is the only "grateful" post of the month.

Rewind to 1995. My mom found out she was pregnant, but she kept the gender secret from both my brother and I. Both of us secretly yearned for a younger sibling of our gender- I a sister, he a brother. I got my wish. As much as I pick at her and tease her, I love her. I wouldn't trade her for anything.

A mother and her daughters- me (left), Courtney (baby), and mom (right)

She was born late in the evening on October 22nd. I was so happy to have a younger sister, even though I had to share a room with her. I was almost 8 years old, and a beaming older sister- I finally had the sister I wanted! I remember playing with dolls in the crib area before the crib was moved in, as it was a big space. I don't think I realized what big change was coming in my life.

Watching her grow has been an adventure. It's a little bit different with such an age gap between us. i got to watch her kindergarten graduation as a high school student, so I remember it. I got to bury her in the sand at Cocoa Beach, Florida, although she doesn't remember that. I remember teaching her how to swing on the old swingset in the backyard when she was younger, and helping teach her how to swim. Helping her with her homework has been a challenge at times, but it's something I enjoy because I get to spend time with her.

I remember when we moved, and finally got our own bedrooms, how empty it felt to finally have my own room, even though it was great to finally have my own space. I remember helping at her school when she was in elementary, during her field days, when her classmates adored me, and I'd get random hugs in the hallways at the school.

I remember sitting next to her in her carseat, either getting yelled at for tickling her, or stroking her hair behind her ears whilst she was sleeping. I remember the nights where she would crawl into my bed and sleep next to me, or my childhood friend, if she was over for the night. I sometimes secretly wished that those days had lasted longer, but they didn't. She kept growing, that's what kids tend to do. I'm in envy, though, that she kept those beautiful, entrancing baby blues. She's the only one in the family who got them.

Corky created this one herself- creative!

She's in high school now, but it's been wonderful watching her grow up- from an older sister's perspective. I got to watch on as she grew, although we never gained the same bond as we may have had we been closer in age. Perhaps when we're older we'll be closer, but for now, I'm still watching her grow. Now it's time to watch her get her license.

She's a clarinet in the marching band, and is quite opposite of the type of person I was in high school. I was very school oriented, always wanting to do more, because it was never enough. I didn't take a whole lot of time having a social life. Corky is a social butterfly, with a growing list of friends, half of whom I can't even name! One of the teachers we both have/had says that the two of us are like night and day, and our brother, who is in between the two of us, is...well, in between.

She rocks that clarinet well!

I admire her outgoing personality, her looks, her ability to stand up for herself, her creativity, and her in general. I love her for who she is. She may not be the most academic person in the world, but she's just who she is, my younger sister, a beautiful, wonderful, quirky, outgoing free spirit who is growing up so quickly. Oh, and she's helping me cheer for the Rangers :) so that's good too.

I am grateful for my younger sister. I'm grateful to have watched her grow through her life, from a baby, to a young child, to a teenager so far. I'm grateful for the time I've gotten to spend with her, and the things I've gotten to see her do and achieve.

It's a little late to say Happy Birthday, but alas, I'm saying it. Happy Birthday, Corky, and I love you. I know we pick on you and tease you a lot- like calling your penguin hat the "angry bird" hat- I won't post the picture- that's because we love you ;) all out of love. Even if you don't acknowledge it, I just wish that someday you'd realize how grateful I am to have you in my life.

I love you, little sis. 

Grateful For Random Things

This week, I'm grateful for:

• My new pillowtop mattress!! (of course, I can't help but be grateful for it, it's so comfy!)
• The fact that the fires haven't reached our small town yet
• The teacher from high school (who happens to have my sister this year...tee hee) who is willing to help me with job related stuff
• A currently very un-busy lifestyle; it's a nice change, considering I've always been a very busy, busy person
• My bloggy friends and my Twitter friends, as well as other online and phone friends, who sometimes don't realize how much they have helped me through
• Scheduled posts. They make it easier to get things done when more than one idea crops up at a time.

Kind of random, but those are things I'm grateful for :) 

What are you grateful for?

Day 7: Corky

I know she hates when I call her that. I should say, I know you hate when you call me that, because I know you'll read this. She'll read this, but she never comments or follows...that's the way my family rolls. I know they read my blog. I have no problem with that.

Warning- This could get mushy. In fact, now that I've written it, it does. Mushy level high. It's still good.

Day 7: Today, I'm showing a picture that makes me happy. This one is kind of from the vault, because we really don't have any recent, decent ones. The picture:

Why this picture? This is myself (red & khaki) and my younger sister (in my lap). Our age difference is 8 years & we don't really spend a whole lot of time together. We're very different in a lot of ways- I was the academic, she's the social butterfly; I was down on myself, she shows a lot of confidence; I was a bit large, she's rail thin; I could go on for ages.

This picture was taken most likely in 2008, when I had a job (because of the clothing), and I know I was at least 40 pounds lighter (because I no longer fit those clothes). She was in my room with me, which is something that very rarely happens, and I was playing with the timer on my camera. I said "Hey, Courtney, let's take a picture with the timer!" She wasn't so excited about it, but we went forth with it, setting the camera on the desk, and running back and forth, making sure by the picture screen that the lens was pointed at the chair, setting the timer, pushing the button, then running to jump into the chair before the camera flashed. I deleted the bad ones (lol), so this was one of the better ones that day.

It really makes me smile because my sister is one of my favorite people. I admire her a lot, although I don't know how much she knows it. I may pick on her by calling her Corky, but it's out of love, and darn I love her to bits and pieces. Seeing a picture like this, with her smiling in my lap, it brings tears to my eyes. I love this kid. She's growing up so fast, though...she's got her permit to start driving, she'll be graduating high school in a couple years, she's almost my height now...

She's independent, friendly, beautiful, strong, and she has a big heart. I admire her confidence and her beauty, I really do. She doesn't get her looks from me! In fact:

Much more recent pics of us

This was the closest I could get to putting us next to each other in a picture, and we really don't look alike (sorry Courtney, I didn't have a better picture that actually showed your face, just your hair). It doesn't happen anymore. We're older- I've got school, homework, internet and had a job, she's got high school and marching band and friends, we just don't hang out all that much. To be honest, I'd love to be closer to her than pictures on the internet and the occasional text message or "like" on facebook, but it doesn't happen. Plus, soon (hopefully, if I get a job and whatnot) I'll be moving out...then we'll never see each other. Building a relationship is difficult if you're never there, aye?

The picture makes me smile, makes me happy, because it reminds me of the way things used to be- before we moved here, we even shared a room- talk about nostalgia! I don't have pictures of that, it was before I had a camera of my own. It makes me smile because it reminds me of times when I didn't have to position our pictures next to each other to hang together for a while. The age difference makes it hard. The difference in tastes makes it hard. We're polar opposites, but I still love her.

At least I have the memories, and that's what makes me smile. It doesn't take a whole lot when looking at the pictures. I'm glad that I have the memories, because it's better than nothing at all. I can smile and remember her jumping in my lap trying to beat the flash, I can remember her holding my hand to cross the street, I can remember the day I taught her to swing, oh the many things she learnt from me. Those things will never change. That picture is a picture captured of two sisters who have loved and laughed together, despite their differences, and who lead two completely different lives. Getting all mushy, I know.

I can remember wanting a sister. Betting with my brother whether she would be a boy or a girl. Guess who won. I hated sharing a room. I think she's really the ultimate daddy's girl, but that's ok. When we get older, we'll be able to look back on the pictures and smile, just the same, and I'll remember every moment. I love you, Corky.