Sarah and Sheila Day 16--

 Sarah Day 16--

"It was nice growing up with someone like you - someone to lean on, someone to count on... someone to tell on!"

My brother and I have always had a pretty good relationship. Growing up, we were just like any other brother and sister. He would annoy me, and I would tattle. Actually, even if he wasn't annoying me, I would tattle . . . Dad always believed me. Anytime I wanted to get my own way I would yell, "daaaaadddyyyyy" and the next second I would hear dad scream, "JORDAN!" Then dad would send Jordan to his room, and it would be no longer than a couple of minutes and Jordan would be sticking his little fingers underneath the door. This is how we always knew he wanted out. When dad wouldn't let him out, I would laugh. An evil little sister I was. Mwahahaha.

Even though Jordan and I fought quite frequently when we were younger, I always knew I could count on him. We used to spend hours outside playing football and baseball. In the winter we would build snowmen and go sledding. We played video games and made forts . . . Yup, Jordan and I were buddies.

I remember multiple instances where Jordan really stepped up as a big brother. The first time was when I was 2 years old and fell off the deck and broke my leg. Dad was out in the woods cutting down trees, and mom is Grand Forks. Jordan was the only one around. He didn't touch me, move me, or even ask if I was ok. He just ran as fast as he could out to get my dad. This memory is really all that I remember about breaking my leg . . . Other than being in the hospital for a long time, and having a cast all the way up my left leg and halfway down my right.

Another thing that I remember (this is embarrassing) is when I was in probably 3rd grade, and Jordan and I were riding the bus to school. I had felt a little sick to my stomach that morning, and I remember mom asking me if I was sure I should be going. I always wanted to go to school because I loved seeing my friends. I don't know if the long bumpy bus ride made me even more sick, but I went to the back of the bus where Jordan always sat and told him I didn't feel good. He told me to just try and make it to the school and then we would call my mom. So I tried, but within just a couple of minutes, my stomach got the best of me and I threw up. I threw up all over the floor. Jordan went to the front of the bus and grabbed the trash can for me, and then when we got to the school he brought me to the office where I called my mom.

As I am writing this, I am realizing the irony of the fact that both of these situations that I remember, deal with health. When Jordan was in high school, he worked as a lifeguard. Right now, he is a full-time EMT and taking nursing classes. It seems that he has always had a knack for helping others when they are hurt or ill. Whenever he decides exactly what it is he wants to do with his life, I have no doubt that it will be helping others, and I know he will be great at it.

As Jordan and I got older, we have only grown closer. He is one of the few people that I feel I can tell everything too. There are times when I call him 5 or 6 times a day. I'm not going to lie, he may not give the best advice, but he always listens and he always agrees. So in a way, he's kind of like a dog . . . Ha! Just kidding Jord, kind of.

I couldn't be more thrilled that my big brother is getting married this June to a wonderful girl. I have always wanted a sister! I truly believe that Sam is the perfect match for him. They spend a lot of time together, love to be around each other, and they miss one another when they are apart. I am so excited that Sam is going to officially be a part of the family!

Today I asked Jordan and Sam if they wanted to grab something to eat since I had an hour lunch break. The two of them were just pulling into town from attending church in Red Lake Falls. We decided to go to Dee's Kitchen for some brunch and catch up. When our waitress dropped off our tab, I knew that I wanted to pay for their meal as my good deed. When I told them that I would do so, they tried to tell me that I did not have to do that, but they said thank you.

As we were getting up to leave, I said to the two of them "I should pay for their meal!" There was an older couple sitting a few tables away enjoying a nice meal and and each other's company. Sam assured me that was a good idea and she continued to talk about how cute they were. Jordan and Sam said they could pay for their own meal and told me to get the older couple's instead.

As I walked to the register, I decided that I was going to take care of Jordan and Sam's meal, as well as the cute husband and wife in the back of the restaurant. The waitress said how sweet the gesture was and that more and more people seem to be doing this. She compared it to having a "secret Santa."

My hour long lunch break today was a great one. I really enjoyed getting to spend a little extra time with my brother and my soon to be "sister-n-law." Nothing makes me more excited than thinking about how wonderful their wedding day is going to be! I truly enjoyed watching the older husband and wife interact\and I couldn't helping thinking to myself, that I hope one day Jordan and Sam have a relationship just as wonderful as the older couple in Dee's Kitchen.

Sarah

Jordan and I in a cave on our family road trip

Proud Sister!

Me, Jesse, Jordan, Sam



This was kind of a day where I struggled with what I was going to do for my "act of kindness" for the day.  I think it might be because I just cannot stop thinking about those families in Connecticut who have lost loved ones, and for some reason, what I am doing kind of feels a little insignificant.  It seems as though this tragedy has inundated every facet of our lives right now, and I find myself just wishing I could do something that would feel as though I am making a difference, and yet, other than prayer, I just keep coming up empty:( 

The names of all of the victims were released today and I thought I would delve into some research, see which parents I could find on Facebook, and send a personal prayer.  The gift of prayer can be so powerful sometimes.  However, it took so much time to get anywhere, and I kept getting sent willy nilly in other directions, that I was only able to send 3 prayers to family I was able to locate.  The sorrow I felt was so overwhelming that it stopped me dead in my tracks.  I am sorry to say . . . I tried, but I just couldn't do it:'(

I really had no clue what I was going to do for my act of kindness.  I needed to bop into town and asked a friend to trek with me.  I needed to get a printer, pick up some groceries, and hope something would pop into my head.  She reads my blog every night and I think that the Christmas Spirit bug have might be a little "catchy."  While I was making my way around Walmart, I saw the most beautiful poinsettias that I have ever seen.  They were the deepest red with cream accents on the leaves.  Some of the plants had cream flowers that contrasted with the peppermint stick colored red ones.  There was glitter on the plants, and simply put, they were beautiful.  In fact, I have never seen one that was quite so pretty.  We were both oooooohing and aaaaaaahhhhing at how pretty the little plants were when it came to me . . . thank GOD!

Random act for the day, deliver a poinsettia to someone who is not expecting it!!!!  Well, low and behold, my friend decided to jump into the boat with me and together we picked out 4 plants, decided who we were going to deliver them to, and headed to our destinations.  The first house was a lady that I absolutely adore!!!!  She is the sweetest thing and you should have seen her face as we brought her a Christmas treat . . . it was priceless.  We both got hugs and a little conversation.  We chatted about the trauma facing our nation and about the poor little ones and their teachers who are now gone.  We said our goodbye's and moved on to our second destination.

Destination two is another elderly woman who means a ton to me.  She always has an open heart, a cup of coffee, and a treat for any who stop by . . . the door is FOREVER open.  Everyone is welcome and I have learned a lot about hospitality from her.  We headed to the door with her flower and she too was surprised at her Christmas treat.  She thought it was the most beautiful poinsettia she had ever seen and she is 88 so I assume she has seen A LOT of them in her time on this earth.  We got more hugs and off we went to destination 3.

Our third destination was her mother and another woman who has mean an awful lot to me.  She has had her own challenges throughout the past couple of years, and yet, she has been an inspiration on how to deal with adversity.  I am incredibly happy that this year she can really enjoy the Christmas Spirit as the last couple have been brutal for her. As we headed into the house with yet another of the flowers and she too was surprised.  She too loved the pretty little flower with the vibrant colors.  We sat and visited for awhile, saw some of her new decorations, got hugs, and headed to our final destination.

Our fourth recipient is a sweety pie.  She too has a lot of challenges, not personally, but her husband has been ill for quite some time.  She has the burden of his care a lot of the time, but always manages to have a smile for everyone she encounters.  I love listening to her talk and her laugh is infectious.  We planned to just drop off the flower, but her husband was in bed and someone had dropped off some Christmas wine so she invited us in.  We shared a glass of wine, conversation about her new grandbaby and the victims in Connecticut, we were silenced as Anderson Cooper tried to get through telling us about the victims on CNN, and we shared the gift of time.  We got more hugs and our deed for the evening was done.  It was almost 10:30 before I finally made it home . . . we had been at it since 6:30!!!!!  However, I cannot tell you how good I feel as I sit down to write for the evening . . . my heart is full.

I have been blessed with people who have treated me like family and I really do love them for that.  I have an AMAZING family and I am totally blessed, but it God has also placed people in my life that have filled some pretty empty spaces this year.  Tonight it was a joy just to bring a little bit of light into theirs.  So whereas I cannot do anything tangible for those who are grieving so far away, I can do something to show people I love them here.  I can let them see Christ in me.

Christmas Love and Friendship,
Sheila

I think they are ACTUALLY called a Candy Cane Poinsettia!