Mandy's Birthday

It was my sister, Mandy's golden birthday yesterday, and I guess the sentimental side got the best of me yesterday or I was just bored at work, but I wrote her a letter (don't birthdays stink as you age) and everything that was said in this letter comes straight from my heart, infact I made Mandy read this with me there even though she did not want to so that she knew I said all of this not only because it was her birthday but because she means the world to me! After reading this letter, I can say that I was touched not just because I got to see her reaction from what was said but also because at that time my sister leaned over and gave me a hug! Now, I am not saying that my sister and I don't say the words "I love you" to each other, but do we really say it with meaning or in that matter does anybody? When she leaned over and gave me that hug, I felt that she cared! Like I say in the letter below, she really is an inspiration to have in my life! I love you Mandy!!







Mandy,



Well first let me say Happy Birthday! Happy Golden Birthday at that! Wow 27 you old woman! Looking back in life I would have never thought that we would be where we are now, both you and I and everyone else in our family has been through and conquered a lot of things! We have all had our hard times, but like you always say “God pulls you through” and I can agree and say that even though I hate going through tough times like that he does pull you through it and I become stronger!

Let’s go back through memory lane for a little bit…..remember growing up at Pennington Lane and all the childish things we did, like make our supper for the evening be “pickles” those yellow little flowers! How did we not get sick from eating all of those? Or the 10 kids that were famous for their Snickerdoodles or the homemade pizza? Wow, how did we eat anything that came from that house? Or going over to Lucy Quinn’s house and being so naïve to not know exactly what was happening there. Or what about playing Nintendo and you beating the ever living crud out of us because you didn’t play as well as you wanted to, although I think still to this day if someone was next to you while playing that, you would beat the crud out of them! We had some good times in Blue Springs but wow, am I glad that we now live in Kearney!! Although, Kellie and I did not want to leave (remember Kellie banging her head against the wall, and then mom giving her a beer to calm down) I would never take anything back. I am so glad that you made that decision to get out of Blue Springs for fear of maybe getting beat up or something, cause we all know you are the chicken of all chickens!! Now, going through High School I can say were not our greatest of times and that is what I mean by saying that I never thought we would be where we are at right now. I remember admiring the fact that you were so happy to be in Kearney while Kellie and I had such a hard time adjusting and thinking, “I wish that I could have the personality that she has, it seems so easy for her to get along with everyone and get friends” Although, I hate to admit it……..you have some people out there that have admiration for you and also think, I wish I could have the personality of Mandy Shanks! I won’t bring up the real memories that I have of you while living in Kearney because we all know that we all three girls made some mistakes, but now we have learnt from those! All I can say wrapped up together is that even though we had some rough times, even better ones have followed! I have told you as well as some other people that I am very blessed with everything that I have, and that includes the things that surround me. You and your family are such wonderful people and positive people to have in someone’s life. I have always said, if I could strive to be anyone it would be my sister, she has made some big accomplishments in her life and she also likes to go out and have a good time! If I could map out my marriage and plan it just the way that I want it (which we all know does not happen) it would be to have a marriage like my sister. Even though there have been struggles and battles to fight along the way, look at you guys! You love each other so much!! I know that we are talking about you being that it is your birthday and everything, but the other day when I called to see if Chad would come over while Steve was here, I realized how important that you guys are to me and how lucky I am. He was so concerned and I could hear it in his voice. He doesn’t have to be like that, and just any brother-in-law isn’t, but Chad sincerely cares! And then for you to come over and not only comfort me and smoke ciggys with me, but also start cleaning my house was great! You didn’t know that day and you will never know how much that meant! I think after you left, I just wanted to cry more, not because of my problems but because I was so touched by it all!

All in all, I am very lucky to have you in my life, I could not ask God for a better sister, and not only a sister but now what I would consider a best friend! You are my real hero and please never forget that. I love you so much! Happy Birthday!


Love,

Stacie