Ides of March

The Ides of March......today is my sister Pat's birthday.  I have two sisters, Pat and Nell, both older than me.  Nell in many ways has been a second mom to me, but Pat has been my "big" sister and friend.
Nell married before I was old enough to go to school ( I was late life, mom was older) but Pat was my baby sitter, story telling sister.  I know I must have been a thorn in her side so many times when she was a teenager........I went on dates with her, visited her friends......you know just basically was a brat to her.

But, the years passed, I grew up and we became great friends.  We talk with each other every day.
Her daughter Jayna cooked birthday lunch for her today ( and me as well, my birthday is soon).
I got gifts o'plenty......clothes, new PJ's, jewelry and wind chimes.  We all ate and laughed, played with Pat's great-grandkids and had a wonderful day.

 I hear stories and know people who do not like their families, who spend no time with them, have no relationships with family members, who spend a great deal of time angry at each other.
I cannot imagine that.  Growing up, I had four brothers and two sisters......we have lived next door to my kid brother Ricky for over 30 years......and yes, as my siblings families have grown we don't always see each other as often as we like, but we know.......we are all only a phone call away.

Today I am so very grateful for my siblings, my two sisters who have always been there for me,
my younger brother who seems almost like a twin, and my three older brothers ( one of which, has passed on) who watched over me like hawks and to this day would drop everything if I needed them.
I am grateful for their love, and the joy they have added to my life.  It has been a good day......and I have said this many times before.......I am a lucky woman.