The Bachelorette's Robe

Every night from the time I was three until the ripe old age of seven, I prayed for a little sister. I did not know that my mother had been told that after her severe ectopic pregnancy that her chances of having another baby were exceedingly slim.  I was never aware of the many miscarriages she experienced during those years. And yet, she never tried to hamper my prayers. I admire her for that.

As God saw fit, those prayers were answered. When I was eight years old, my answer to my prayer was born in my sister, Ashley. And two years later, when I was ten, I was given a bonus to my prayer...another little sister!

In my mind's eye, she is still sixteen. Maybe twelve. It truly does not seem long ago at all that I was helping burp this beautiful "bonus" who is going to the chapel, gonna get married tomorrow...

Monday night was her Bachelorette party, and I went feeling old. After escaping the circus that is our home at dinner time, it took me a good fifteen minutes to resume a normal breathing pattern. Thankfully, I had my trusty mom-mobile all to myself.

While there were many beautiful (very) young ladies there, I found great comfort in seeing my friend who is my age and the older sister of one of Kim's very best friends (thus is Kim's 'other' older sister) was there. Jess's obvious beauty radiates from the inside out. She is married and is also a mama, and apparently had the same train of thought as I when she dressed for the evening...

Black everything (including a spot of black lace) might disguise the near-insanity we felt during our day and fool the young women attending that night into thinking we've still "got it", when in reality, we were on the verge of locking ourselves away from our children into our Powder Bathrooms and reverting to the fetal position just mere hours before. Motherhood can make you feel like a fraud in social situations, can't it?

Having Jess there was also comforting in that when my sister opened this 'gag gift' (a full length, velor, zip-up robe), my voice was not the lone one imploring her to keep it. "No, really...we're not kidding! You WILL wear it someday. Mark our words!".

I am not a prude (right??), but I have to say it was a bit disconcerting sitting there amongst a sister and cousins who were, only yesterday, eight years old as all these little itsy, bitsy, flimsy-whimsy bits of netting and lace where being revealed, one after another. The robe, quite frankly, brought me great relief. Ok. Maybe I'm not actually a prude, but I will admit I sounded like one, as after the blushing bride held up each 'article' , I suggested it would pair nicely with a black turtleneck.

Oh well, I'm just the big 'ol sister who is in denial that her littlest 'baby doll' is getting married and moving far away. I realize it is just part of the process, and along with the denial is also a whole lot of love and pride for the woman she is becoming...and an excitement for the adventure that lies before her!

I must now go and continue prepping the props for the small people who will be experiencing a weekend full of excitement, fun and drama (will they, or will they not walk down the aisle? Either way, the sun will still rise the next morning!). I hope you are able to enjoy your wintery weekend as well. Thanks for dropping by....