Happy Birthday Month, Letetia!

It’s July which happens to be the birthday of one of my MOST favorite people: my SISTER!

Letetia has been one of the most influential people in my life. Watching her navigate through disappointments and celebrate successes has been inspiring and has created a standard of measurement for me in my own life. Speaking of my recent link about a single story about Mississippi (click HERE to catch up), I am forever grateful that my sister did not live within any mold or expectation. She was her own person and lived within the lines of what worked best for her. Walking in her shadows as a child and then a young woman provided a refuge and gave me the strength to step out and walk on my own.  

When I was young, of course, I wanted to do everything that she did. I wore what she wore. I used her “lingo.” Her fave songs played on my radio on repeat, in private. I incorporated all the things I loved about her into my repertoire.  She was so progressive so I was always ahead of the game. It only backfired once, when I bought my pair of duck shoes to align myself with the college trend when I was in high school (she was in college a town away). Little did I know how long it would take that trend to make its way that 25 miles to my little high school….I could still hear the “other kids’” laughter as they “got on board with the trend”  a year later. Pfffft, “so last year, y’all.”

I’m most  appreciative of her ability to maintain a relationship of respect and grace allowing me to maintain my dignity while I was in my lost “darker” days. Her quiet but simple initiations of questions and conversation spoke loudly and encouraged me to look at my decisions and lifestyle. It spoke as loudly as if it had been more direct, but allowed me room to make mistakes and encouragement to get up and try again.

Some of my favorite days of my adulthood were spent in Los Angeles, simply because she lived less than a mile from my apartment. It was easy to take for granted the walking distance and ease of visits.  I so miss those days and really hope that one day we will live in the same city again. If you live by your sister, go have dinner with her. Hug her. Laugh, maybe until you pee in your pants.  Have an extra glass of wine or champagne. 

For those of you who know Letetia, you know she is forever young, intelligent (that’s Dr. Sister, to you), stylish, bold, strong, courageous, FUN, talented, and can sport any hair color you could imagine beautifully. 

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONTH Seester Beester! I hope this is your best year yet!

This month, I’m reminded even more of how grateful I am for you and this month I celebrate you!

Love, 

Danielle

Enjoy some flashbacks:

 redheads at the same time

 my first trip to CA

 I loved hiking in LA on the weekends

 Hollywood

 So what if we look more like lesbian lovers than sisters?!?!

 celebrating Mom's birthday

 We are sooooooo Vietnamese

 M.A. graduation