About

My Sister Susan

First let me introduce Susan by saying she really isn’t a Ryan.  She’s actually a Rockerfeller.  She was switched at birth by faeries and left on the front porch of the Ryan farm surrounded by cows and apple trees.

How do I know this?  Well, she has an inborn taste for all of the finest things in life.  She can spot a Fendi bag at half a mile.  She can sniff out a luxurious perfume from three blocks away.  She is pulled by some magnetic force field to the most stylish (and expensive!) item in every retail establishment.  She can recognize a fine wine or a perfect diamond with just a sip or a glance.  It’s a rare gift, you see, that only Rockerfellers have, I am convinced.

And oh, she drove me crazy when we were kids, stealing my clothes, borrowing my makeup, breaking my hairdryer and FOLLOWING ME EVERYWHERE!  “Take your little sister”, our Mom would say.  And with a very tortured sigh, I would take her along …..and pinch her every chance I got.

Somehow, in spite of all the sibling abuse (and it was mutually inflicted, let me say), she grew up with an incredibly dynamic and energetic spirit that draws all who meet her to her sense of wonder, warmth and fun.  Susan is fun!  She enjoys every ounce of life and it is apparent in the sparkle of her eyes and glow of her smile. 

She can crank out 10kms at a really decent pace in the morning, paint your kitchen (including the cabinets) in the afternoon and then cook you a fabulous dinner with a huge smile and a glass of wine.  She can plan a 3 week vacation in an afternoon, write a 2 hour speech with just her Blackberry and completely revamp your wardrobe with three great finds from an out-of-the-way thrift shop.  Her talents are endless and her creative energy is boundless.

Lest I forget, she’s also the Poochie-Mama to Golden Retriever Barbie and the loving ski-mate-wife to the best Bro-In-Law on the planet.

You should get to know her.  Really!  You’d love her.  I know I do.

Jae – otherwise known as my big sis ‘Joyce’

I was laying in bed this morning thinking about ‘Jae’ and deciding what words I would use to help you begin to know this amazing woman, my sister.  I went in search of some quotes.     I found this: 

“If your sister is in a tearing hurry to go out and cannot catch your eye, she’s wearing your best sweater.”–Pam Brown 

…and promptly I thought, no, this actually describes me, and not Joyce.   Yes, yes, I stole her clothes, but she had good clothes, ohhhh… she had good clothes, and I was the youngest, so I was entitled to them.   Right???!!     Younger sisters out there, support me here!

And then I found this one:

“If you don’t understand how a woman could both love her sister dearly and want to wring her neck at the same time, then you were probably an only child.”–Linda Sunshine

…….again, I thought, nope, pretty sure she was the one wanting to do the wringing.   She “claims” I used to pull her hair or something of the silly sort.    I remember no such thing, but the baby does need to defend herself, and fight for what she deserves.   Right??!!

And then I stumbled on this:

“How do people make it through life without a sister?”–Sara Corpening 

I honestly do not know the answer to this question.    Why?   Because I have no idea who I would be, or where I would be, if it were not for Joyce.     Truth.

Let me begin – she is my big sister.  Simply, I could say no more - what more is there to say?    But I will, because I need for you to understand the magnificence of this woman.   Joyce was born second to the three of us.      She came early to Mom and Dad and spent the first two months of her life in the hospital.    I think maybe that was the start of her independence and strength.    You see, Joyce was always the strong one, the leader, and the one that our Dad went to, to help him understand financial decisions, taxes, money, and banking.      I always thought she was so lucky to be considered a confident to Dad, since he was hard to impress.      And just to add, he always chose Joyce to help him with his ties.     Oooo, so lucky.

So while Joyce is indeed a numbers girl (foreign to my flighty self), she is also soft, gentle, and has the most beautiful spirit of anyone I know.     She is true to herself, and to others, and holds both herself and others accountable to ‘show up’.     [Phew, thank goodness I have her – see above where I’m not sure where I’d be if it weren’t for her. ]    She takes responsibility for her energy, expects others to do the same, and puts up with very little nonsense.     This, I love about her –  I watch her and try and be her sometimes.   

In one sentence:     

Beautiful - inside and out, solid, spiritual, kind, giving, funny, smart, responsible, independent, accountable, dependable, strong, mature (way more than me), fact-loving, devoted, dedicated, and plainly, the colour in my life.   [Yes, Joyce I know this isn’t a sentence] [ and do feel free to correct my grammar]

This is my Sister everyone.    You will soon get to know her, and I know you will be happy you did!!!