49 years ago today I got a sister. We were young then, but playmates from day one. She got the dark beauty, the tall elegance, the deep soul, merciful mighty heart that runs like a river and ministers life, hope and courage to many.
Her prayers break yokes and unlock hidden truths. She’s a gifted career woman, dedicated wife, compassionate Mom, a writer, daughter, friend.
We cultivated our mutual love for decorating via the Barbie Universe crafted in the basement for years. Our Barbies were married to Kens and had one daughter each. They drove corvettes, owned campers, and shared one mini Christmas tree. Of course they were dressed to the nines.
We outgrew Barbie but never each other, becoming fellow cheerleaders, confidants, friends. We’ve prayed hundreds of prayers together, fasting on Mondays for our future husbands and families. Living miles apart we are inseparable.
Many women long for a sister. Sisters are rare but they don’t have to come from a bloodline. A sister is someone you count on, go to, pour love upon and receive it back ten-fold.
Sibling relationships – and 80 percent of Americans have at least one – outlast marriages, survive the death of parents, resurface after quarrels that would sink any friendship. They flourish in a thousand incarnations of closeness and distance, warmth, loyalty and distrust. ~Erica E. Goode, “The Secret World of Siblings”
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. ~Barbara Alpert
So Happy Birthday Brenda Kay Hendryx who I fondly call Bean. More beautiful with each passing year, and always forever best friends.
