National Sibling Day

All seven Crazy Cady Sisters at Cathy's wedding.

In case you haven't been on the Internet today, today is National Sibling Day!  I have been uniquely blessed in the sibling department.

Especially sisters!  For good or bad, my sisters made me the way I am.  They constantly talk about how, as the youngest, I was an extremely spoiled child.  Well, they made me person I am!  Mom used to talk about how she would have to ask to hold her own baby because one of my sisters always had me in her arms.  I was loved.  I am loved.  And I love them.

Chris holding Cathy, with Patty and Becca

Chris is the oldest.  She is the leader of this crazy train.  She is the other bookend.  Over 19 years older than me, I don't remember ever living with her.  She got married when I was just two years old, and soon thereafter she was creating her own family.  Though we didn't live as traditional sisters, that's okay with me.  The first time I didn't feel like the "little sister" was while interacting with her.  She saw me as a person, an equal, an adult, and that feeling was amazing.

Chris has got a real love of the language, and I've never seen a fiercer player of Boggle!  She taught me what a "Red-Letter" day was while bickering with her husband, and her home has always been open to any brother or sister who needed it.  About half of us have probably lived there at one time or another!  She is open and loving, and I want to be just like her.

Becca and Cathy were flower girls at Peggy's wedding.

Peggy is more than just "The Pretty Sister."  She is also the one sister who got an inkling of maternal sense.  She has a relationship with her daughters that I envy.  She always actively works on improving herself.  Right now she's trying really hard not to swear - which she only does around me!

Her home was a refuge to me on one of the worst weekends of my life, and I'll always remember laughing and crying and buying shoes together.  She's sweet as sugar, strong as nails, and I want to be just like her.

Becca, Susan, Patty, and Cathy

Susan is the oldest of the youngest girls.  As opposed to Chris and Peggy, I have memories of living with Susan.  Well, kind of.  I remember her having a bedroom.  She has always worked at turbo speed. She was so busy as a teenager, Dad got sick of her not doing her chores and piled the dirty dishes onto her bed.  Exhausted, she just crawled under the blankets and went to sleep!  She is hard working and passionate, and I want to be just like her!

The Cady 12

Those are just the other three sisters who are writing with me.  I have three other sisters and three brothers who are amazing, also!  

Chuck is my eternal cruising buddy bearing gifts of Whoppers and movie quotes.  He is my big brother in the best possible way.

Judy is so accepting and loving.  She shares herself and her smile with everyone she meets.

While my memories of growing up with Monte are few, I do remember him always willing to share his Chicken Noodle Soup with me.

Matt is the hub of all things competitive, but whether he's winning or losing (who are we kidding, he always wins), he's doing it laughing.

Patty is the brains of the family, and uses her brains to advocate for the things she is passionate about.

Becca is strong, independent, and autonomous, but also self-sacrificing when it matters most.

These are my siblings.  These are the people I dreamed of being like while I grew up, and I find that even though I'm adult, that dream still rings true.

Cathy