A Month of Thankfulness - November 4

Today is Gary's sister's 42nd wedding anniversary.  Sandy is his next-in-line younger sister.  There is a cute picture of the two of them that I took from his folks' house when we cleaned it out a few years ago.  Of all of his siblings it seems like she is the one who isn't as close as the others are.  Why?  My guess is because of her husband.

He isn't a big fan of our family.  I am not really sure why because I married into the family and found love and friendship when I did.  In fact my mother-in-law was nicer to me and loved me more, so it seemed, than my own mother did. For some reason Kent is not and never has been one to embrace the Siemens family,

But I am thankful for my sister-in-law!  She and I have had some fun conversations during times when it has been 'just us girls' or times when we have been thrown together during food prep for family gatherings or during clean up from one of our many holiday meals.

She is Hilary's godmother, and for that I am very thankful.  She has a special place in her heart for Hilary and for Megan too.  She is also a super great-aunt.  When she is with the kids, whether it is during a birthday party or at a holiday gathering, she is very much into the kids.  She will be on the floor playing with Tessa.  Owen will grab her hand and lead her to something he wants to show her.  Landon will sit and talk to her about his livestock.  Cooper will share his love of baseball with her.  And Lynnlee?  She will show Aunt Sandy her dolls which Sandy in turn will fuss over.

I have asked Sandy to stop by  when they have doctor's appointments or on the days they shop in Lafayette, but they haven't.  I have asked her to let us know when they are 'in town' so we can meet them for lunch or dinner.  I know that during the times of the virus those opportunities are slim, but take out and eating in our dining room is always an option.  That hasn't happened either.

I try to keep her informed about what is happening in our family. I must confess that sometimes I forget to give her a call or send a text, but I do try.

Even if she isn't 'present' physically in our lives often, she is still a great sister-in-law and I am very thankful for her.  I know that if we need her, she will be there for us.

And she knows that if she needs us, Gary will be there as quickly as he can get to her.

Thankful for my 'sister' Sandy today.  And Happy Anniversary!