Celebrate the Birth.

Hello.
Yesterday, my sister had her birthday.
She is 24 years old. She is 200.71 weeks older than me.

I would like the entire world to know how wonderful my sister is.

On her birthday, she decided that she was going to have a grilling day in the park, because it was so DANG beautiful outside. When she picked me up, I expected to see just her husband there, but instead, I saw 2 little girls and a mother sitting at the table talking with Sean. Cali told me that she invited a lady and her daughters for dinner because her husband was sick.
I saw my sister helping this lady with her daughters.
I saw my sister cutting up the burger into smaller bites so the little girl could eat it.
I saw my sister run away to the playground holding the hands of these happy, smiling, beautiful girls, and all I could think was how beautiful my sister was.
She wasn't making today all about her. She made it about other people, which in turn only made it more about my sister.
She didn't even open her presents on her own! She let the little girls "help" her open them. (see picture to the left)
When we got back to her apartment, Ellie, Cali's BEST friend, besides me of course, came over just to give Cali a birthday hug. You could just see the happiness radiating from her whole being as she caught up with her friend.
Then, to my surprise, she invited Ellie to stay and watch a movie with us on Cali's bed. (a little strange, but if you know Cali and Sean, it's not weird at all)
Not at all making it about her, it ended up making me love my sister more for her selflessness and GENUINE love for others.

Sometimes I struggle with this idea that not everything is about me. (Insert snide remark from older brother Matt) But I thank my Heavenly Father each and every day for a wonderful example that I have, who knows what I am going through and can put it in words before I even understand it. She is a light and a beacon of love to all those who know her.

Cali, I love you. And am so grateful for you and all you are to me and our family.



Now go eat some more cake!