Then and Now

I'm sorry to admit that I wasn't a very attentive sibling to the three babies of our family when I was in high school and living in the house pictured above. I don't remember much of them, and they don't remember much of me. But when I went off to college, I'd come home and soak these three up. They were still the babies, although at one point we made a conscious effort to clump them as "the little kids" since as five, six and seven-year-olds, we couldn't really get away with that anymore.

Anyway, I thought I'd share a favorite memory of them from my home-from-college days and a favorite memory from our recent trip home:

Back then, I remember snuggling up with Lissie in her bed and listening to her tell me about every single person in her class. We'd pretend to have a sleepover and then after she'd fall asleep (or at least fake it, anyway), I'd tip toe out of her room. I thought she was the most perfect baby sister. So beautiful with a pinch of sass.

Now, I still think she is the most perfect baby sister. It's really not fair that so much beauty and character could be bottled up in one person. She sings, plays the guitar and piano; she's a ballroom dancer and ballerina, and she's a genuinely nice girl. My favorite moment with her on this last trip was when she came up with a melody for some song lyrics I started writing about my kids. Got me all teary. Now I just need to finish writing them, so that she can finish putting such a sweet tune to it.

Back then, my favorite thing about Christian was the way he adored my dad. He'd come home from church and hang his little suit jacket on the chair right next to his. And I remember one time watching Christian walk to the nearby German school he attended and how he kept turning around and waving to my dad in the window.

Now, he still adores my dad. While we were in Germany, I often caught the two of them sitting together--Christian asking my dad question after question about history and the economy, and my dad giving the most thorough and heartfelt answers. So sweet, the bond they share.

Back then, Bryant was the most playful and fun-loving little boy you could ever meet. He'd run to me when I'd come home from college (the sister he hardly knew) and wrap me in a tight hug. His excitement at seeing me always touched me.

Now, he doesn't do the run and hug me thing so much when I come home, but boy does he know how to play with my kids! He's a terrific Uncle B.

And here's my sweet parents. They deserve a post full of wonderful memories entirely their own, but for now, a favorite thing I'd like to tell you about them, is that I've never met a couple more in love. That was then and it's most definitely now.

Yeah, I'm a huge fan.