On the top of the hill

Who in this picture looks like they are having the best time at my 8 year old birthday party?
The second one from the left on the front row, and she is my little sister Robin.

Notice that Robin is the only one with a party favor.
Already snacking on those jelly beans.
My birthday parties were always in April and it was always an Easter theme.

Here I am holding Robin at only 6 weeks old.

It's Robin's birthday today! I won't say her age, but it ends with a "0" and it is an important number. Kind of the age, that makes one feel they have reached the top of the hill and can see both sides now.

I have memories of Robin when she was 2 or 3 and she would wear these big white shoes. She was always on the run and into everything, especially if it was happening out of doors. I have this one very distinct memory of her lying on the floor with those big white shoes, watching television. Only they were not all that white, they were very banged up and very dirty, and her socks were nearly black. I truly do remember as I looked down on her and all her dirt (I was on the couch, she was on the floor) thinking to myself, "She will never amount to anything when she is older."

Of course I was all of 7 or 8 years old myself.

Here we are in our 60s dresses.
I'm holding newborn Peggy.

Robin was one wild child.
When she was about 2 years old she disappeared. We all, including several neighbors, were looking for her everywhere. I remember the fright, the panic, the worry. I was about 6 years old and in tears. Back then I don't think my parents considered calling the police. Turns out a neighbor near by had gone out and left her door unlocked. Robin helped herself to their house. She went into their bathroom going through all the drawers and and getting into everything. When we found her she was covered with white powder.

Well here we are all these years later and guess what one of her favorite books is?

She even has it displayed in her home.

Being a good wife and mother means everything to her.

Robin is an excellent listener. She is also a deep thinker and will come up with the most insightful concepts. I've had many prayers answered just by talking to her. She has many gifts but this is my favorite.

This is the most recent picture I have of my sister and her whole family. It was taken in 2001.

My mother however, claimed this was her most favorite picture ever:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBIN!!!
HOPE IT'S A GOOD ONE!
YOU DESERVE THE BEST!