My sister Jean Grania had her birthday yesterday. I thought for a long time about what to write about her, how to describe how I feel about her, what she means to me … but then when the tears came, I decided: No, I don’t know how to write about her. All I can say is – the woman means the world to me (both my sisters do … and my dear brother) – and I can’t imagine my life without her. The worst nightmares I have are when something horrible happens to my siblings. I had one about Jean years and years ago that makes me shudder to this day.<\/p>\n
In trying to come up with an acknowledgement post about this beautiful woman – all I could really come up with was how afraid I get of losing her.<\/p>\n
Not a very positive birthday message.<\/p>\n
Jean Grania is a classic human being, warm, hilarious, intelligent … People get excited to see her. A party is planned, a gathering … people ask: “Is Jean gonna be there???”<\/p>\n
She’s a teacher. A good one. She’s passionate about her work, she’s an amazing woman.<\/p>\n
She’s my younger sister, but there have been times when I’ve felt like she’s the older. People seem to think that Jean knows things. It’s so funny. And, in general, she does.<\/p>\n
I remember when my roommate Jen and I were throwing a Valentine’s Day party. We had bought decorations, hearts and stuff. Jean and Siobhan came over to help us get set up. Jen didn’t really know Jean all that well, but … within 10 minutes, Jen was standing on a chair in our living room, trying to dangle big red hearts from the ceiling, and I heard her say, “Jean – is this right? Will this work, you think?”<\/p>\n
That’s what I mean. People turn to Jean for stuff like that.<\/p>\n
I love my sister. I have tears in my eyes now, because I’m a big goofball, and because I get overwhelmed.<\/p>\n
She’s a great woman. Happy birthday, Jean Grania.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
My sister Jean Grania had her birthday yesterday. I thought for a long time about what to write about her, how to describe how I feel about her, what she means to me … but then when the tears came, … Continue reading