Monday Musings: An Eye-Opening Experience
Mon, Jun 29, 2009
I had one of those eye-opening experiences yesterday. Â You know the ones, where you suddenly realize that either you’ve changed or things around you have changed without you noticing. Â It happened while I was at church. Â I went through the meeting like I normally do – I bowed my head during the opening prayer and I sang along during the hymns. Â I listened to the first speaker as she talked about charity and how to serve other people. Â Then I enjoyed a piano solo played by a guy who seems to have more musical talent in his pinky then I will ever have in my entire body.
And then it happened. Â The last speaker got up to give her talk. Â She was poised, elegant and beautiful and I found myself captivated by her every word. Â She introduced herself and her family and I saw that she was witty and charming, telling jokes in the just the right places that drew laughs from the appreciative audience. Â Then she moved on to the heart of her topic. Â She spoke about how to live a charitable life and she suggested ways that we can be kind to others. Â I saw that she smiled as she spoke; there wasn’t a trace of nervousness or discomfort anywhere. Â She barely glanced at her notes and she maintained eye contact with the congregation.
I was completely mesmerized. Â
I realized then that my little sister had grown up. Â She’s always been mature beyond her years and has had a natural confidence and grace that instantly puts people at ease. Â I’ve always known this. Â But suddenly, I realized that she wasn’t a little girl any more. Â Yes, there’s a part of me that knows this already. Â I mean I was at her wedding and I saw her say her “I do’s.” Â So there’s a part of me that understands that she’s no longer the little kid that snuck into my bed at night because she didn’t want to sleep alone. Â
But suddenly I saw her how others must see her – as a self-assured, mature, confident woman. Â And while I’ve always been proud of her and recognized her accomplishments, it truly was an eye-opening experience. Â Gone is the little girl I once knew, and in her place is a beautiful woman whom I look up to. Â
And you know what else I realized? Â No matter how much she has grown up, she will always be my little sister who forever has a special place in my heart. Â And nothing could make me happier.
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Tags: Monday Musings, sister
June 29th, 2009 at 4:37 am
–>What a great thing to realize about your little sister. I AM the little sister in my family. ha!
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June 29th, 2009 at 5:19 am
Oh, man. I still remember when my little brother told me he was going to be a dad. Blew my mind.
I love being a big sister
June 29th, 2009 at 5:35 am
Awww, that is so nice! Reading this post brings tears to my eyes as I think of my two little sisters. We’re pretty close, but it’s hard when I live far from them.
Still, this is a nice tribute to your little sister!
June 29th, 2009 at 5:47 am
Mine is 32 and still hasn’t quite made it to “grown up.” You’re lucky!
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June 29th, 2009 at 5:53 am
This sort of thing happened to me with my best friend’s oldest child (now 20)….it blows your mind when you realize they’re younger than you but still grown (or growing) up!
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June 29th, 2009 at 6:02 am
Beleive it or not (at my age you probably think I’m SO old) but I’m the youngest sister. I have two absolutely wonderful older sisters (not by much – who is counting years any longer???) I well remember several comments both have made about when they realized I too had changed in their eyes. Just as you so beautifully stated, no matter how much your baby sister has matured and are now so elegant, accomplished, polished and the many talents they now have, there is one fact that NEVER changes – she will eternally be your baby sister and you’ll always have that special tie with one another and it only deepens and grows with the years. My older sisters are my best friends and I love them more deeply now than ever. I see with fresh eyes their many talents and facets of their personalities that are amazing to me, that years ago I didn’t even recognize or took the time to see as a young woman.
What an amazing experience yestereday was for you and it touched my heart to read of your special Sunday. Let it be known that I’m SO proud of both my girls and the women they’ve become. Both of you amaze me each day with your continued accomplishments and talents. But in my heart of hearts – you’re still my babies and I love you dearly.
June 29th, 2009 at 6:11 am
Such a nice post
I’m the older sister and will always think of “my little brother” even though he’s about 8 inches taller than me and is growing into a nice, mature young man with many accomplishments 
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June 29th, 2009 at 7:31 am
Beautiful
What a nice thing to realize and to express about your sister. I have two sisters (one older, one younger), and I can think of very distinct moments at which I saw each of them in a different light as well.
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June 29th, 2009 at 7:40 am
this is so sweet. the gift of being and older sister is one where you get to see the transformation and growth in someone’s life. you are there to experience it. it’s an awesome gift.
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June 29th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Your sister sounds amazing! What a sweet post.
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June 29th, 2009 at 8:52 am
What a wonderful sister she has in you!
I see that sometimes in my younger sister, most often when I meet her at her work for lunch. Sometimes I’m lucky and she doesn’t notice me right away, and I can just watch the lovely woman she’s grown into, as other people see her. So lucky to have a sister.
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June 29th, 2009 at 9:18 am
I’ve had that experience with my younger sister several times, most recently when we gave a presentation at a professional conference together. Many people there knew me, but who was this other woman?! That’s my sister, I proudly claimed! Yes, mature, knowledgeable, and so self assured! Ok, it runs in the family. My mother instilled great values in both her daughters, but it’s great to see one or the other of us in action and be reminded!!!
June 29th, 2009 at 9:22 am
Aww that is so sweet. I bet it was also a proud moment for you to see your sister give such a awesome speech. I don’t have a sister but I always wished I had.
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June 29th, 2009 at 9:22 am
oh tab, i LOVED this post! you are beyond nice to me. how did i end up with the most perfect sister ever? thanks for always supporting me and for writing such sweet words. and i think it was the dress that made it a great talk.
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June 29th, 2009 at 9:24 am
p.s. i promise i’m going to get on guest writing a blog ASAP!
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June 29th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
My last sister just got married. I feel like an old maid!
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June 29th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
How very sweet. i wish i had a sister!
June 29th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
What a sweet post for your sister =)
I know exactly what you mean. One of my little sisters, well, in the interest of her anonymity, I’ll say that she experienced an enormous milestone in her life a few weeks ago. I still have this mental picture of her at about 7 years old and witnessing her (insert activity here) absolutely blew my mind. I can’t believe my little sister went and grew up.
The nerve of her.
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June 30th, 2009 at 3:37 am
I have a little sister too, and sometimes I look at her with wonder at the poised and beautiful woman she has become. She is so smart and funny. I still see the little girl I remember, but I also see this amazing adult who has given our family such joy over the years.
July 1st, 2009 at 9:45 am
The Wife of Odie is your sister!?!
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