Today is my sister's birthday.

Ashley is in Cali and I can not spend this day with her. I do not like her so far away from me. I think Lubbock is far enough. She is now 21. I can no longer pretend she is my baby sister that I have to take care of. I can no longer pretend that she can't possibly function without me. I so love being needed, but this summer without her has brought me to the realization that she is fine without me and I am ok with that. I've always known that she would be fine on her own, but now it is official. This does not mean that I won't want to protect her and worry about her. I am the big sis, that's just what I will always do! I just know that she is an strong, independent woman who can function fully by herself. She can go off to a state where she knows no one and make a TON of friends. She can find herself TWO jobs. She can ride the bus alone. She can walk around the streets of L.A. alone. Growing up is hard to do, and letting go of someone you love and want to smother with protection is even harder. I now know what my poor mother has gone through with all of us. She had to let go and let us live on our own. Oh dear.


Happy birthday Ash, you'll always be my baby sisr!

One of these days I will actually post a paragraph

But until then, I will read all of your blogs.

My favorite father figure of the week goes to MOL Jr.