Footprints That Never Fade: Birthday hugs to a special sister

*GINORMOUS HUG*

Today my sister turns 23. Yup, you heard right. 23. But she doesnt look 23 and certainly act 23. Hee... my sister's always young at heart. So Cheekins, if you think you're turning close to a quarter of a century, take heart. You dont look it! Even Daddy tells me how he has constantly reminded you for the past few days. hehe.

I remember when we were young, we used to have those little 'wars' across the two bedrooms in our Kuching home. I usually gang up with Paul (that was way before Daniel was born) and we'd pass notes from under the door. And "fatty bum bum" was the worsest swear word ever invented! We've definitely come a long way from there aye? :P

We were little once. Yes. She was the one with bangs. I had no hair. The one who'd be so eager to go for walks and bus rides. I'd cry when my bedtime came. She was the house inspector, looking through bedrooms whenever we visited houses. Hee....

And my sister's the creative, neat one. When we were in Vanuatu, she started this 'Environmental Club' which we, can you believe it, swore to and sang this song that she composed. It was a little shed that we had at the back of the house, that leaned precariously on the wall. Nari, our maid, would help us assemble it. She was the environmentalist. The president. :P and we'd save lizard eggs, leaves, insects in jars... you name it. She makes the best banana split. That was to a 9 year old... and i believe would still do so now. :)

She's a trend setter. From black nail polish, to jogs and her fisherman's hat, she taught me my first duet The Beatles - Sha la la as we washed dishes in our Pukekohe home. She kept a diary then, which i was extremely curious about (and to find), and still does. Sometimes she reads me excerps and i wonder how she gets so many ideas in her head at one single time. How does she write fast enough to still record her train of thoughts.

My sister laughs with me, she cries with me, and attacks me with a water bottle (the last time was 6 years ago). You rejoiced with me when i found happiness and sat with me when i lost love.. I thank God for you.

I love shopping with her, though our differences means that she can spend an hour in a game shop while i'd spend an hour in a knitting shop. We got stuck outside the flat one day when it snowed in 2002 after coming back from the gym. I was just wearing a t-shirt. It was cold! I'm glad that it was you that i was stuck out in the cold with. I wouldnt have hoped for any other.

We have our tiffs and our hang ups. Blame it on PMS. But blood is thicker than water. I love my sister. She has sacrificed so much for me. Do you remember when i cut my hand and passes out on the couch? My skirt and couch cushion was soaked in blood. You helped me clean that up. Or when i threw up in my first year here cos i caught Mr. Enterogastritis? And you helped me clean that up too. Eww...

I miss you heaps. Dunedin isnt the same without you. :'(

Words cannot express how much you mean to me. A lot. *extremely*

picture pooper