My Big Sister!

Well, I think the e-mail/blog fast I took a few weeks ago is helping ... I haven't been blogging 4 times a day like I used to. ;) I haven't been checking my e-mail quite as much either. Hopefully I'll continue to prioritize!

And speaking of prioritizing .... I have a special friend I've been meaning to write about and haven't ... so I'm making her a priority today! :D

I think everyone who has siblings will know where I'm coming from with this post. Siblings are an amazing blessing!!! Our biological siblings are great .... but what about those people God puts in our lives to be our "other" brothers and sisters. Ya know what I mean? God gives us amazing people outside of our family to ADD to our family. So yes ... I have my little brother, Wes. He's my only "real" sibling ... but I have "other" brothers and sisters too. I have a couple of big brothers ... even a second mom and dad .... but I only have ONE big sister!

Yep! My friend, Tiff, is the only friend I've thought of as a sister. She just has those big sister qualities .... wise, loving, a good listener, gives advice, looks out for her "little sisters," fun-loving .... and it's hard for me to explain, but she's got a way of supporting people that screams "big sister" to me! She is really good at supporting the people she loves, encouraging them to follow their dreams and give it all they've got, and letting them know that she's behind them no matter what. She's helps them feel encouraged and more confident. That's how I've always felt around Tiff. I know that no matter what I choose to do with my life, she'll be right there to support me through it, love me through it, and encourage me to keep going even when I feel like quitting. And it's funny .... she doesn't even have to say anything. She's steadfast. And it just flows from her. Every hug, every "hang out time," every conversation .... I just know she supports me. Just like a big sister. That's what big sisters do. They are there to pour out love and wisdom and support. And Tiff is so good at all of that!

I remember hanging out with Tiff several years ago .... it was early in our friendship, and we had never hung out just the two of us before .... we tried to get a bunch of the girls to hang out, but we were the only two who could get together. We ended up going to Culver's in Plainfield. We probably shopped around or drove around or talked .... but I remember we left our outing as "bonding buddies." And it was a name that stuck. I still have cards that Tiff has written me signed "your bonding buddy." It was one of those days I'll always remember --- a day out with my big sister bonding buddy!

And last month ... Tiff and I went on the Calvary Ladies' Retreat together. Friday night ... while all the ladies were upstairs laughing and playing games ... Tiff came downstairs to see what I was up to, and we ended up chatting for close to an hour. We talked about my discouragement with my major .... how I feel like I'm wandering aimlessly ... how I feel like God isn't directing me much at the moment .... and Tiff simply listened and offered support. She reminded me that I'm almost done with school .... and then we got to talking about a college graduation open house! I was bummin' out about not wanting to be in school .... about not knowing what I'm going to do with the rest of my life .... and she got all excited about an open house! She gave me a a huge boost that night! ...... I'm gonna graduate next December .... so we started planning a Christmas theme for it! She even thought up the idea to have people write an answer to "What should Mical do with her English degree?" as their "admission" to my open house. And then we talked about having them write their ideas on an ornament and sticking 'em on a Christmas tree!!! What a great idea!

It was a sweet time with my big sister, Tiff. She knew I was down about my future, and she found something to get excited about for me. She's always been really good at that. :)

I've had lots of friends over the years. Cookie Cutters .... the Cooks/Adamsons gang .... the "Fab Five" .... but I only have one big sister! :D