Sisters

A sister is a little bit of childhood

that can never be lost.

-Marion C. Garretty

My sister's coming for a visit this afternoon. I've thrown open the windows, clipped roses, put on a Bach Concerto, and made pink, sugar-rimmed glasses for the strawberry lemonade. Now all that's left is to watch for her pretty face.

My sister was three when I left for college. It's strange, with the age difference she seems more like a daughter than a sister. I've missed so much of her growing up, though... what with being in college, trying to become the next Barbara Walters, and moving on with my messy, thrilling existence. Over the years we've taken days and weekends when we (I) could... watching movies, painting toenails, eating out, swimming.

She'll be grown and off soon. It's hard to believe. In Target yesterday I saw a "young adult" book called Ida B and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World. I laughed. It sounded like us. Beneath her, I know, but if we share anything it's a love of books. Well, books and hair color. But mainly books.

When I got Ida B home she looked lonely. So I made Rice Krispie treats, but they looked lonely too. So I cut them out with biscuit cutters, slid in popsicle sticks, dipped them in melted white chocolate, and added sprinkles. Lovely. By the time it was over I had almost 80, so the youth group at church got a tray full. (I walked out of church last night in time to see a deacon happily munching on a sprinkled-lollipop. I laughed half the way home.)

But my sister. I still think of her as that kid in pig tails and sandals who waited at the door for my car to drive up. It makes me wish I had been there for more of her young life. Gosh, the days fly by. If we're not careful we miss so many important moments.

But not today. Today won't be one of those days. Today belongs to pink-sugared glasses, silly books and sprinkles. Sprinkles and sisters...

...Thank God for sisters.