"The best present is when you make a girl cry"

I learned something tonight. You see my sister Kim’s oldest daughter turns 28 tomorrow. I knew I wanted to do something special Christine because she does so much for other people. When I go to Portland for the once a month parties Christine always brings a homemade bracelet that she has made for all of the 5 girls. It is not an ordinary beaded bracelet. It is themed in color and charms. I know that finding the charms and beads that fit each occasion is not an easy task. She pays careful attention to each detail. That is love. My friend, Carol gave me the love of beads and I shared the obsession with Christine. She knows how I appreciate the time and work she puts into each one. Not only does she make a bracelet she usually coordinates the Friday night dinner.

She brings most of the food, most of the snacks (Boulanger’s gotta have the snacks) and spends her whole Friday's with me. She could use her Friday to do so many other more fun things rather than hanging out with me. The fact that she picks me makes me feel really loved and special. What young girl would choose to spend an entire day sitting around, beading, holding hands and just being together with her 46 year old hag of an aunt? Not many girls and I'm overwhelmed that she chooses me.

Tomorrow is her birthday. Yep, Yep, Yep 28 years old. She lost her mom 6 months ago. She has lived with me off and on for years and I would not know her like I do if she hadn’t of come to be with us. She wanted to get to know us on her own terms and we share a very special bond because of that. Bonne is “my person” and Christine is my “2nd person”. Knowing you are second probably isn’t the best thing to be but since it is behind Bonne it is a good place to be. When I'm going crazy I call her no matter what time day or night and she talks me down. She knows me well enough to know what to say to be calm. When Colton and Cody were in a car wreck a few years ago they called me early in the morning and Colton said "This time it's bad Mom" and then said the Police were there and he had to go. OMG A parent shutters at this kind of call. I could not breath. I literally threw on a coat and was white knuckling it so bad I thought I was going to have a heart attack on my way to where the accident was. I called Chris. I was so panicked. I told her through tears and hysteria what had been said to me and that the boys were not answering their phones. She calmed me down, stayed on the phone with me and then called the boys to see what the situation was. They answered for her. She called me back. She gets me. She gave me peace when there was no peace in sight. I love her so very much.

Back to the real reason I'm here. I want to talk about her. She and her friend decided to go to Seattle for an adventure to celebrate her 28th birthday. They took the train up to Seattle and got a beautiful hotel room for three nights. They have been planning and looking forwards to this trip for months. I have been excited for her.

Her Dad and I have been thinking long and hard about what to give her this year for her birthday because she can buy anything she wants at any time and to buy her more stuff is just that … more stuff. I asked her dad what he thought about sending her flowers one day and then a fruit basket the next day to her hotel. He reminded me that Christine was fasinated by a edible fruit basket we got at the hospital when my sister was dying. He remembered her saying she wishes she was the “official fruit tester” because every piece of fruit was perfect. WOW. What an idea. Why did I forget that? Alzheimers? I mean, I remember the basket, I remember everyone ate on it for 3 days why didn’t I remember she was enamored with it?She deserves every thought she gets.

Last week I called the company and ordered a big basket for her to have it delivered to her hotel room. I asked her constantly about check in time, arrival of train etc. She had NO clue. She was flabbergasted when she got to her room and this beautiful basket was waiting just for her. She never has had anything delivered to a room like that for her. I am spoiled. When I used to go to San Francisco for gift shows my sister, Bonne would send me a flower bouquet, a bottle of champagne and it was sooo nice. She even sent me a beautiful bouquet when I went to Georgia and Texas as well. She called to thank me and was tearful. When I talked to her Dad about it he said “The best present makes a girl cry” and I love it. She deserves to cry. Good tears, good surprises and many years of love and joy. I love you more Christine.