A Birthday Wish For My Little Sister

Today is my youngest child's birthday. Sarah turned 11 today. My oldest daughter Ruth wrote a special birthday tribute to her. I thought I'd post it here and share this special bond between 2 sisters that are 8 years apart.
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(Psssst!! Read this to Sarah) =)
Happy Birthday Little Sister! Well, I guess you are that little anymore huh? 11 years old. Girl, you're getting old! But as beautiful as ever (we can thank Mom for those cute genes she gave us ;)
I remember when Mom and Dad brought you home from the hospital. You were so small and fragile and cute. And I wanted to be their little helper, so I picked you up and carried you to their room to give you a bath....of course I must have done something wrong because Mom and Dad started to freak out when they looked up and saw me holding you. It was all a blur, but I remember hearing that I wasn't holding you up right, or that I could have dropped you, etc. Afterwards when they saw me balling my eyes out in my room, they came in and explained how important is was that I was careful when I held you. Sarah, when I picked you up for the first time that day, my heart jumped. Here was my sister. I wanted to talk to you, and wanted to show you how to do things. I wanted to be the best big sister for you.
And day after day, I would come and check on EVERY time you were sleeping just to watch you breathe. I would sit there for the longest periods of time watching you open your mouth, and turn over in your basinette. I would pat your back when you woke up, and fix the little strands of hair on your head so you would stay looking like an angel while you slept.
I remember wanting to always be the one who fed you. Sarah, there were days though that I wanted to just put your baby food on the counter and walk away! You would spit it right out and smile. Like you knew that I didn't want you to do that, and it was a game. I laugh now because of how cute I remember you being.
Even when you got a little older, and you started to get really bossy, I still loved you.
And then I went off to college. And it didn't hit me until the day before I left that you really loved me too. You cried, and that made me cry. Being away from home this last year was really hard. I missed out on watching you go from being a little girl to being an almost (and I mean almost because you are not grown yet!) pre-teen.
But I'm so glad to have you nearby. I love hanging out with you, laughing, tickling (even though I say I don't like to be tickled), joking and making fun of the boys, swimming, watching a movie and eating popsicles. I love spending time with you.
So! All of that is to say that I am thinking about you today. It's your special day and I hope it is extra special for you =)
Happy 11th Birthday Sarah Esther King =)