My Big Sister Michelle

 Last night I was reminiscing with Richard and started telling him all of the ways my big sister Michelle impacted my life.  She was born with the fearless personality.  Nothing scared her.  She had the confidence that she could do anything that she set her mind to do.  I, on the other hand, was more cautious and was confident that I could do anything that Michelle could do.  She had the courage to take the Honors classes in high school and so I did too.  She went through lifeguard and WSI training and so I did too.  She jumped off dangerous cliffs, I did too (well the smaller, "safer" ones.)

She also had a lot more fashion sense.  She taught me how to dress better and how to do hair (This picture is not an example of that.)  I'll never forget the time that we didn't have enough money to buy the cool jeans so she taught me how to peg my pants so that I wouldn't lose face at school.  

She got a paper route to earn money, so did I.  I remember one lean Christmas she and I bought presents for all of our younger siblings with our paper route money so that it would be a better day for them.

She is all heart and generosity.  She and I would go out and she would always offer to pay for things, she still does.  She would buy a new shirt and let me wear it first.  I don't

 remember being excluded from any activities.  She loved me like a big sister should.  

I am confident that I owe a lot of who I am to Michelle.  Thanks big sis for having the courage to pave the way for me.  I love you.