Sibling Pride
Today was the first street I walked in a while by myself. I have enjoyed the company and the conversations over the last few days, but I also appreciate the meditative moments of walking a street with only my own thoughts. Today I found myself reflecting on how proud I am of my sister Melanie.
Sylvan is a short side street heading north from Lake a few streets west of Lakewood Park. Because the street was so short, I decided to walk a complete loop down one side of the street and back the other. As I reached the turnaround point near the corner of Sylvan and Edgewater I spotted a little gnome in Penn State gear. Two weeks ago I had travelled to eastern Pennsylvania to celebrate my niece Emily’s wedding, with my sister the gracious host. We stopped near Penn State for lunch on the return trip and I think that is why she jumped into my mind.
My sister is generous, entertaining, creative and thoughtful. She had raised two wonderful kids (Emily and Jake), along with her husband Al. They work hard, farming in the Poconos and running a farm store as well. Our lives are very different – kind of like the city mouse and the country mouse – but we have always been close. I’m lucky to have her as a sister.
Then as I was finishing up the street I heard a strange sound. I peered over a hedge at the corner of Sylvan and Lake and spotted a chicken in a coop. I know my sister has had a coop on her farm, and I couldn’t think of a better tribute to Mel than ending my walk by hanging out with some chickens.
