*note: the numbering glitch has been fixed and updated.. =)
To my dear sister on her 30th birthday
Gah-tseh,
Happy belated (we’ll ignore that little detail and pretend it’s still
8.31, shall we?) 30th! It’s
slightly bittersweet that I wasn’t there to celebrate a milestone (by that
word, I’m not implying OLD) with you, Tim and Casey this year.. but I’m
definitely gonna make it up to you. Here’s
to pho on me (cuz it just wasn’t the same eating it in Vietnam and not seeing
you throw all your napkins into the soup when finished)or sushi (so I can see
you suffocate the salmon rolls with wasabi and scarf em down) when I’m
back. You pick. I pay. And then I’ll bum on your couch for a month, living off coffee,
biscotti, sesame chicken from scratch, cable tv and only the cutest beagle ever. Deal? hehe
afar, here are 30 reasons why I love you:
education
generosity is outta this world. Like
whoa.
laugh is super contagious (esp when you’re drunk on laughter and those around
you have no idea why, or when you’re still laughing and clutching your stomach
for a good ten minutes)
childhood imagination – Fun Club, Macholic (no idea how to spell that infamous
character, but remember that her meds were chalky Smarties?), invisible Wheel
of Fortune, etc.
childhood antics – daring me to drink 100 cups of water and being unrelenting
even when my poor, bloated stomach was about to burst, writing me letters
encouraging us to run away together (check box Yes, No, Maybe), etc. (please
note: not trying to make you sound evil, nor is this coming from a root of
bitterness, but from a place of amusement)
my other half – where would Purpie be without Goldie, Softy without Fluffy, Popple
without Fluppy?
nurturing spirit is in a league of its own
carry a pharmacy in your purse. Sore
throat? No problem, whip out the throat
lozenges and vitamin C drops. Stain? Got the Shout wipes! In need of a marker? Here’s a Sharpie or three (choose your
color). You would’ve been the most well
prepared World Racer, fo sho.
love is extravagant
a great nurse – I cringe at all the vitamins and throw a fit at being fed zinc
drops and “water” that tastes suspiciously like it’s laced with medicine… but
then (surprise) I feel better! Hmm..
Monica tendencies that have become endearing and which will come in handy with
kids, as you’ve practiced on Casey – spread the towel out before she’s allowed
on the sofa bed, put the shoes on before her walks, crush and carefully mix in
the vitamins before she gets to eat… (the only one I’m still unconvinced of is
the raincoat. She looks like she’s on
Maiden of the Voyage at Niagara Falls. hehe)
usage of Shift + F7 to ensure you don’t repeat words redundantly (hahaha I am
LAME)
musical talents (best piano player, best voice of the 4 of us) and knowledge of
oldies and songs from the 80s/early 90s… so many remind me of you – When Will I
See You Again, Eternal Flame, When I See You Smile, to name a few
ability to play a Mariah Carey cassette in the car on repeat like nobody’s
business until the day the music died… (Without You is a sweet song tho, can’t
blame ya)
way of spoiling me and doting on me when I come over (announced or not)… Martha
Stewart’s got nothing on ya.
willingness to serve and go out of the way for others
unconditional support of all my random ideas, thoughts, actions, beliefs..
listening ear all these years, even when I didn’t return the favor growing up
(walking out while you were in mid-sentence.. or how bout when I read my
precious Sweet Valley Twins while you probably shared something heartfelt. I say probably cuz I didn’t listen well
enough to find out what you were talking about)
depth of understanding, or at least the concerted effort you make to understand
fun to talk to about anything, even (or especially?) boys – JB, DD, CB.. and
that’s not even the “real” people, haha.
trustworthy, intensely committed and self-aware (unrelated traits, but I had to
do a three-in-one so that numerically, it’s still 30)
have the gift of encouragement and you walk in it well, even tho you don’t
realize you do (nor would you admit to it)
sensitivity and being attuned to people’s needs, emotions, feelings
self-awareness
about quality, not quantity
time and attention when you care about something/someone, is ridiculous
extreme humility – still too modest, in my opinion
ability to feed my obsessions without making me feel silly, pathetic, immature
(not saying I’m not)
thoughtfulness goes straight to the core in feeding hearts
not afraid of honesty, vulnerability, admitting weakness, shedding tears..
opening the door for others to do the same
easily touched – in fact, I bet you’ve laughed thru tears while reading this
Viv, what I’ve been learning this year (among other things), is my
identity, and all that encompasses. It’s
my greatest hope that you also know, grow in, and walk in yours. Know, trust, believe that you are a daughter
of the living God, a princess, an heir to the richest inheritance. All “Christian” lingo aside, you are loved
beyond the depths of a human heart and adoring sister. You’re loved and known by the king of kings,
and that’s worth more than my 30 reasons above. You need none of us to see your greatness when He finds you worthy.
Besides my excitement to see your beautiful face (and fabulous dog) when
I come home, I also can’t wait to share and grow with you.. to experience and
witness His love together.. to give you a hug you’d actually appreciate (I’ll
do my best not to do the pat) and to tell you face-to-face that you are deserving,
accepted, smart, strong, capable, unafraid, teachable, transformed, amazingly gifted,
precious, made for more than this world, righteous by faith, a recipient of
grace, one of His great works, a new creation, a light and a treasure, loved
beyond measure..
“I praise you because I am
fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full
well.” – Psalm 139:14 (the entire Psalm is for you to take hold of)
Love you so much!
