Sisters

"A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life." – Isadora James

Me & my siblings.  My "trio of sisters" are the bridesmaids in this picture

I am blessed to be the youngest in a trio of sisters, and can attest first-hand that the sister relationship is one that is as sweet as it is unique.  Having a sister is a like participating in a friendship where secrets, silly jokes that no one else would get and wild antics past bedtimes prevail.  It is also a full-disclosure situation in which both can be completely and entirely themselves—the good, the bad and the ugly—and know that at the end of the day the love of their sister will still be there.  Sisterhood is a girls club, a debate team, a dramatic arts society and, above all, an unbreakable bond.

Kaia

In case you are one who doesn’t actually know me and my beautiful little family, I’d like to introduce you to Rachel’s sister, Kaia Michelle Taaffe.  Kaia is 23 months younger than Rachel, born on January 13, 2010.  From moment one that these two met each other I knew that they would be both an infinite blessing and an exasperating handful all at one time.  Kaia is a little ball of fire with a confident personality and a definite grasp on what she wants and does not want.  She is tender yet fierce, cuddly yet strong-willed, sweet-hearted yet steadfastly stubborn.  Kaia is a verbose 2 ½ year old who is a perfect mimic of anyone she chooses to watch closely…so be careful what you say around this little girl; inevitably you’ll hear your words come out of her mouth and either grin with pride or hide your face in chagrin.

Kaia is absolutely, head-over-heels in love with her older sister.  From the time that Kaia’s big personality began to make it’s appearance on our family’s stage we could tell that she would always be an advocate and protector of Rachel.  Patrick and I have numerous times commented that when the girls are both in school we will not be shocked to hear that Kaia was sent to the principal’s office for punching someone in the face who mocked her big sister…and we secretly wonder if we will high-five each other before putting on our stern faces to address the situation.  Kaia knows Rachel like no one else does; she can translate everything that Rachel says, she knows Rachel’s likes and favorites, and can comfort her in ways that only the two of them truly understand.

I was reminded again last night of what a sweet blessing this special relationship is, and will be, to both of them throughout their lives.  The two of them were in the bathtub while I busily wiped down the bathroom counters and mirrors when I overheard uncontrollable giggling from the bubbly tub.  I glanced over and smiled quietly as I watched them play together; they had concocted a game that clearly made perfect sense to them where one of them would say, “Close your eyes!” and then while the other closed their eyes they would pour a brimming cup of sudsy water down the dutiful participant’s back.  >>Insert immediate and heart-warming laughter here.<< They would take turns passing the cup back and forth and dousing each other with warm bath water, each time coming unglued with laughter.  I couldn’t help but begin chuckling, then chortling, then guffawing at the hilarity of their silly little game.

As I watched them play so beautifully together I was struck with the wonderful thought that no matter what, Rachel will always have a best friend in Kaia.  A friend who will love her genuinely for who she is, a friend who will always see her as just Rachel not as “my friend with Down Syndrome” and a friend who will stand up for her because they are friends not just because it’s the right thing to do.  Rachel will always have someone to talk to, someone to share her hurts and joys with, someone to giggle about cute boys with and someone to ask advice from.  Even if the whole world were to push Rachel to the periphery of their view, she will always be right in the middle of Kaia’s view—what a lucky girl.

Not only that, Kaia is lucky too!  She will grow up viewing the world through the goggles of compassion, be more apt to love others regardless of their station in life and value friendships that others may take for granted. I am so thankful that my children have each other, and endlessly humbled that God gave them both to me.