Friday Focus:) Unsung Heroes and Big Sisters

“Sister. She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. Some days, she’s the reason you wish you were an only child.” ― Barbara Alpert

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Yesterday, I wrote my “Open Letter to God” story. I thanked Him for all my blessings and friends and family. I had pictures and quotes, but one person was not mentioned individually, and that was my sister, JoAnn. I saved that for today.

JoAnn is only two years older than me, but has made it her lifelong quest to be my protector, confidante, advocate, sparring partner, worst critic, police patrol, and best friend.

My sister Jo doesn’t like to take pictures, so I don’t have many. She doesn’t like to be in the spot light, but she does so much for others, rarely being thanked or acknowledged. Being sisters, sometimes we fight like cats and dogs. Other times we cry together. Having been the baby of the family, I wouldn’t say I was spoiled, because we didn’t have a lot growing up, but I did get away with quite a bit because I was so darn cute and loveable. (Just my opinion.)

I’m sure she’ll admit that she tends to boss me around and tell me what I should do, but mostly because she wants only the best for me, and she hates to see me get hurt or taken advantage of. If you ever need someone to have your back, JoAnn is the person you’d want there. But, you’d never want to be on her “SH– LIST.”

My sister Jo does a lot for her community and is very active in the city of Elgin. She’s always behind the scenes, helping promote others, donating a lot of time and a lot of money to local charities, and very rarely is recognized for her efforts. I know what she does, and I admire her very much, even if I don’t tell her often enough. So, I’m telling her now. You are my unsung hero.

“JoAnn, you held my hand before I could walk. You held my hand when I was going through hell, and we cried together. We may fight like cats and dogs, and you drive me nuts, and I make you  crazy, but one thing remains constant. You’ve always been there for me, and I’ll always be there for you, and…I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU!”

I’m the cute curly one on the left, and JoAnn is on the far right. Our oldest sister Donna is in the middle. Sisters! This is how I remember us.

Sunday:Unsung Heroes

Weekends are suppose to be relaxing, aren’t they? But, what about all those little tasks that must get done, yet go unnoticed. All the laundry must get washed, dried, folded, hung, and put away. Meals are made, dishes are washed, floors are cleaned. Someone has pick up after the kids or the dogs. It’s like a little fairy comes in and takes care of all that housework with a blink and a nod. It all goes unnoticed by everyone, except of course, for that little fairy that does it all, week in and week out, month after month, year after year.

So, after a long week, and an even longer weekend, maybe take a few seconds to thank the little housework fairy at your house that usually goes unappreciated. If YOU are that person, well, pat yourself on the back and give yourself a special treat. You deserve it. After all, “Tomorrow is another day,” and it all starts over again.