I Am My Sister's Keeper....

My sister Wendy got a bunch of air vouchers after several bumped flights recently. Guess what she is going to do with them? She is flying me to Seattle to go cross country skiing with her! I cross-country ski about once a year, when Charlotte gets its annual 3" snowfall. I ski on the unplowed streets to the golf course which is full of wonderful hills and lovely wide open areas. It is a little different than skiing in the Pacific Northwest wilderness, but beggars can't be choosy.

The photo above is from several years ago when I brought my daughter Asherel to Seattle to meet up with Wendy and teach Asherel how to cross-country ski.  We had a wonderful time. At one point, we were skiing alongside fresh cougar tracks. Gulp.

Wendy loves to travel and could have done all kinds of great things with the travel voucher. I am immensely touched that she called and told me she wanted to use it to bring me out to Seattle to ski. It has not been the easiest past year -- first breast cancer, and then a month of huddling in frozen NY to help my Mom recover from a broken hip and elbow. Wendy has been very kind throughout, checking on me, and sending notes and little gifts of encouragement.

So I want to publicly apologize for scratching her with my long fingernails when we were kids. She deserved it at the time, but she has made up for it.

And to all you siblings out there. Love your brothers and sisters. Stay in touch. Contact them often. Tell them you love them. If your family doesn't have your back, who will? Your family is a gift from God. Get over your petty squabbles. God put you where He put you for a purpose, and I bet it isn't to scratch them with long fingernails.

Love you, Wendy!

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1 Timothy 5:8 

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.