Trish and I.
Me and Trish.
Trish and me.
Tracie and Trisha.
Tracie Marie and Trisha Marie.
The girls.
One, not two.
This is my sister. Trisha.
And she means the absolute world to me.
We’re 11 months apart and basically grew up as one person. Twins almost. {I’m on the right in the photo above}
We were each others best friend. Always there. When no one else was … we were.
My mom took special care in nurturing our relationship.
Even though I was older, I depended on Trisha something fierce. I needed her advice, her respect, her admiration, her confidence.
There wasn’t … isn’t … anything I wouldn’t do for her.
But then I felt cheated.
Jipped.
She grew up too fast. Had a baby at 19, married and moved out.
Leaving me alone.
I wasn’t prepared to lose her in that way. Too quickly and torn from me. We still had secrets to share … growing to do.
Alas … it happened. And I had to accept it.
We stayed close and I loved her son something fierce! Then another son.
And then my marriage. My baby.
And so we grow. And so life goes.
And here we are 40 years later. Adults.
Her firstborn now grown. A man. An Army man, to be exact.
My sister? Mom of a Hero.
Brett was deployed last week … to Afghanistan. And he just got word that his deployment will be longer than he originally thought.
My heart is breaking for my sister … my friend. I know she’s upset, worried, anxious. I would be too.
But I’m also proud. I’m proud of her. Proud of Brett.
She’s loved that boy and encouraged him more than any mother I know. She’s bared the brunt of so many hurtful situations … all in the name of motherhood.
Isn’t that what we do though? Isn’t parenting all about sacrifice?
Trisha, I’m so proud of you for how you’ve handled so many difficult situations in your life. I don’t tell you often enough.
I love you Trishie Bug … as much as I did when we were three!
{thank you Beki for redesigning this inspiring necklace so I could tell my sister how proud I am of her}
This post is linked up with Emily at Chatting at the Sky
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an amazing tribute to an amazing momma, sister and friend!!!
ps looking at that photo again…i think hunter is starting to look a lot like trishie! :-)
I can’t even imagine how Trish feels if it were my son but I can tell you knowing that my son-in-law is being deployed there as well with a baby on the way is heartbreaking. My heart and prayers are with all of the soldiers out there fighting and praying that they all come home safe. You are lucky Tracie to have such an awesome sister…but then she is pretty lucky too!
what a beautiful photo of you & your sister! and you do… look like twins. after reading your other post… i feel like i have just a hint more of how much you needed her, relied on her. that necklace is really beautiful… and it is going to mean the world to her heart. i often wonder if my own son will follow the footsteps of his dad and become part of the military. selfishly, i hope not. only because my heart is still healing from all of eric’s deployments, even five years past. i am going to add brett to my military prayer list… keep me updated, okay?
11 months apart? I didn’t even know that was phsyically possible.
This is a great tribute to your sister, who sounds amazing. Being an only child I find myself jealous of those who have wonderful, positive and loving relationships with their siblings. You are lucky to have her, and she is just as lucky to have you. :)
Oh how I have always wished for a sister. It seem like such an amazing and special bond. You two are so lucky to have one another. I am sorry for all of you about Brett’s deployment lasting longer than expected. He is in my prayers.
That necklace and your words just speak volumes. And what a timely moment to share this story. We are so blessed that so many risk it all to offer us protection!
I pray my girls have a bond like yours! What a treasure!
Oh my goodness… this is so sweet! Isn’t it wonderful having a sister. Truly one of life’s awesome blessings. Please thank her for the sacrifice her son and her family is making for all of us. It is more than appreciated! :)
What a blessing to be so close to your sister. Not all sister relationships are that way. You are so, so blessed. Praying for Brett and your sister’s family.
tracie, where do your words come from… your heart obviously!!! i love you to death and took your love for granted so many years and for that i am sorry. it’s been one of the most difficult and trying times of my life. more so than when brett was deployed to iraq. for some reason this just seems to hit my heart quite a bit harder. yesterday i finally left the house for the first time in 4 days, and only to go to wal-mart.. go figure. if i had a hole to crawl in, i’d definitely be there for quite some time. thank you for all your time and energy spent on trying to make my family’s life easier when it seemed like it would never get better; thank you for how incredibly awesome you can express yourself; and thank you for the endless love that you give to me. just when i thought all i had were tears of depression & loneliness… then you post this beautiful blog and brings a whole new reason for my tears!!! and the necklace…. it’s just a special gift that leaves me speechless!!! i love you with every ounce of being inside <3 i will always be your bug :)
oh man your writing always leaves me with goosebumbs. WOW.
Hey Auntie,
I just want to let you know i read this post and i love it. It’s really sweet of you and the necklace to so pretty. I cant wait to see it in person. i miss all you guys so much! Maybe when i get back we can all get some din din again. Dont worry ill do the planning like last time. I love you all so much. LOVE BRETT
This is so beautiful!
Bless you!