Christmas issues, what to write about this year, a million thoughts came to mind. You will read throughout this paper, this month, some of the many ways I find comfort in Christmas.
However, none of these comforts can hold a candle to my sister. Especially at Christmas, she provides comforts that cannot be found anywhere else.
My sister’s name is Debbie. She is nurturing, and supportive and provides steadfast comfort to others regardless of her circumstances. She is accepting and beyond patient. She is selfless as her energy goes into her family’s needs and rarely her own. She is a master of diplomacy. Her wise advice is sought by all who know her.
After the loss of our older sister, we leaned on each other and became closer than we ever had before. Even in her growing family which included four children and now four kids-in-law and thirteen grandchildren, she has always made time for me and my family in whatever was needed.
The loss of our mom several years ago forged an even closer bond, as we clung to each other for solace, memory sharing, laughter and for tears. She has always had many of Mom’s qualities. Whether she wanted the role or not, she has become our family’s matriarch since Mom’s passing.
She lives the best sermon you could ever preach. She lives the lyrics to Tim McGraw’s song, always being humble and kind. She does things for others because she wants to, not because she wants to be acknowledged. In any chaos, you can look to Debbie for calm. She breathes deep and forges on with whatever task lies ahead and, let me assure you, she has faced some challenges that would crumble a mother. She has created an inside joke in our family: “Everyone needs a Debbie.” She’s not afraid to be spontaneous, she doesn’t care who is listening when she sings and knows that it is an expected experience from her grandkids.
I joined forces with my older sister to find inventive ways to torture Debbie as a kid growing up. That trauma alone should have been enough to scar her for life against even being in my presence. But, that’s the thing about Debbie, she forgives quickly and often.
From critters to kids, to siblings, to relatives, to friends, to strangers, you will always get the same thing from Debbie 鈥戔�� comfort, caring, fun and plenty of calm assurance.
She bears the worry of any family member, helping to reassure, calm and assist whenever and wherever she is needed. She is the pillar of strength not only for her immediate family but also a strong foundation for her extended family. She comforts with her faith, her ability to provide hope and her endless love.
We don’t get to see each other as often as we’d like so at Christmas when the melancholy sets in about missing her, missing her family and missing Mom, Debbie is there. Everything about her instantly provides comfort and care.
There is nothing more comforting in the world at any time of year than to have a sister like this. Debbie is not only my comfort at Christmas; she is my source of inspiration and comfort all year long.
“Sisters are like cookies and milk. Whether things are sweet or crummy, they’re better together.” Author unknown
