Today is my oldest sister's birthday. Jenni is our little big sister. She is a full foot shorter than my brother and other sister, and around a 1/2 foot shorter than me, yet she is the oldest. Jenni was born with Turner syndrome. This is the reason for her being smaller, and this is the reason why she is unable to have children. My parents were told when Jenni was a young child that she would probably be lucky to make it through high school due to some learning disabilities that are often common with this syndrome. Jenni has never been one to back down from a challenge. Not only did she graduate from high school and college, but she has been a school teacher for the last 13 years and is currently working on getting her Masters in Education.
Jenni has always been a great role model for me. She has overcome much in her life, yet remained faithful and strong. She was obedient to a fault as we were growing up. This was good for her and I'm sure my parents appreciated it, but her siblings often resented that she was so good and we always got in trouble. She was rather bossy and demanding, at least that is how we saw it. We were too busy being obnoxious, annoying and enjoying our childhood to listen to her. I remember at the end of one summer my parents giving Jenni a typewriter. She was in high school and it was for her to use for reports and such. When my parents gave it to her they said it was a reward for her being such a big help around the house that summer, while the rest of us loafed around (they didn't actually say that last part, but I'm sure they were thinking it).
I regret that we often picked on Jenni, sometimes relentlessly. I seem to remember one incident involving us chasing her with a broom and then throwing shoes at her while she attempted to lock herself in the bathroom. All because she was trying to tell us what to do. We were sooooo mean. Luckily she loves us now and we all adore her and admire the strength she posesses. Perhaps some of her strength comes from having us as her younger siblings.
I regret that we often picked on Jenni, sometimes relentlessly. I seem to remember one incident involving us chasing her with a broom and then throwing shoes at her while she attempted to lock herself in the bathroom. All because she was trying to tell us what to do. We were sooooo mean. Luckily she loves us now and we all adore her and admire the strength she posesses. Perhaps some of her strength comes from having us as her younger siblings.
Amanda, Jenni (giving us her best "Now listen here" impresssion), Emily and Tom all suffering from a bad case of bed hair.
Happy Birthday Jenni!!!
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9 people have something to say:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your sis!! That's awesome how she's showin' those drs. w'sup. YAY!
Happy Birthday to you, Jenni. Wow there are a ton of May Birthdays in Blogdom.
It's no fun being the shorter big sister. Be nice!
Happy Birthday Jenni!
Happy Birthday, Jenni! It sounds like she is such a great person!
My older sister was always the "good" one too! One day she got mad and threw a pillow, knocking over a living room lamp and breaking it. I was so smug thinking that "V" was finally going to get in trouble...but she didn't. I think I was mean growing up too and it's nice now that we're adults that our siblings can forgive us! :)
Happy Birthday to a remarkable lady! :)
Happy Birthday! What a great story!!
awesome story and tribute to your sis. happy birthday. sounds like you have learned a lot from her influence and example in your life. good to hear you now respect her :)
way cool that she beat the odds and is now finishing her M.S. degree.
way to go!
what a kind sister you are now :) kathleen
Aren't sisters the best?
Happy Birthday Jenni!!
Happy birthday to your sweet sister! And there is no shame in bad hair days. At least that's what I try to tell myself. :-)
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