Guentzel.Org

Several years ago, in the middle of the night, my father put me in the back of the family hatchback so we could take mom to the hospital. It turned out my new sibling was finally going to arrive. We were living in Round Rock (even then) and all our family doctors were a few miles away in Taylor.

Mom and dad took me to my grandparents house before they went to the hospital. As dad was helping me out of the car, I remember seeing a bright red dot next to a very bright moon (Mars was visible that evening). Harbinger? Nah…just an observation.

The next morning, dad returned to my grandparent’s house to inform us all that my sister had finally gotten here. Given that I was an eight year old boy at the time, I was secretly hoping for a little brother. I wanted to have someone to shoot BB guns, play sports and just be my partner in crime. Amazingly enough, the initial disappointment melted away when dad took me to the hospital to see her. The closest I could get was the opposite side of the nursery glass, but I felt proud that I now was a big brother, and I had a little sister.

As we grew older, I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t pick on her…a little. But, once I passed teenagerdom, I realized how remarkable and special she is. I also found out she has the capability to forgive (it involved jalapeño peppers…long story).

Happy Birthday, Sis!