Christmas Memories

I love Christmas time. I love Christmas lights, trees, snowmen... EVERYTHING! I love the coziness in my home, and love thinking about others. However, I seem to feel a little sad too. You see, I don't talk about feelings much, not to anyone! I guess if I don't talk about my feelings, then I don't think about it as much, but anyway, Christmas time makes me miss my big sister Twana.
Twana was 11 years older than me and was so much more than my sister. She was my best friend, confidant, and always did more than a sister. She was always a mother hen, and took great care of me, from the time I was born until the day she died. Even when I was married and had Ethan she looked after me. She died on June 23rd, 2006. I wanted to share a few things that I love about Twana.
She loved holidays! She decorated her whole entire house, inside and out. She loved giving gifts. She started preparing for Christmas in October. She always spoiled me. When David and I were first married (and poor), we didn't exchange gifts. This drove her nuts, so she bought me little presents throughout the whole year. She would wrap each gift independently, and then in a big box. So on Christmas morning, I would have a ton of presents to unwrap, all from my big sister.
She was an excellent Mom! When she lived in Cowley with her three little kids, I went over to her house everyday. Her house was very crafty, and always smelled good. It makes me sad that her kids didn't get to have her as long as I did.
We talked on the phone everyday. I would call her for the silliest things, and she would call me to tell me all about the kids. The good, the bad, and the ugly. We talked the night before she died. She told me how much she accomplished that day, but that she was feeling like she was getting sick so she was going to bed. That conversation has run through my brain a million times. She gave the best hugs, had the softest hands, and the most contagious laugh. If you heard Twana laugh, I guarantee you would laugh too. She was the most loving person I will ever know.
I heard a song on the radio today, and it made me think of her. I cried. I thought of all that I miss about her, I could hear her laugh, I remember the last hug I got from her. Then I passed by a house all lit up with lights, and I smiled. I know I will see her again, and I know her and my Dad are having a ball together. I am so thankful for the memories that I have with my sister. These memories get me through the hard times, and I am so thankful to know that I will be with her again.