Happy Birthday to our irrepressible sister Linda. I miss you.
I miss your goofy garage sales, your awesome car, your love of thrift stores. I miss your love, your understanding, your heartfelt wish to make others happy.
I miss you as my confidant, second mother to my daughters, my happy-go-lucky camping companion. You always made me laugh, and drew me into adventures to places and activities we maybe should not have gone. Sarah still calls our camping weekends therapy weekends. Not because they were therapeutic, but because 
she swears she needs therapy for them to this day.
Before you passed, you told me that you would tell me what happens after and you did. And you continue to send to me small little missives, like messages on a carrier pigeon. Sometimes just a smell, or a word I see written that brings your smile to my eyes, and your laugh to my ears.
Yesterday I was pulling some books from my shelf, and out fell a birthday card that you had created for me many years ago. Were you reminding me that I need to prepare for your birthday, or just saying hey? Once, in the middle of a snow storm in Minneapolis WMT blasted from my radio for just a minute. What the heck, I had just been thinking of you. And of course the dream you sent shortly after you left. (the dream) 
I smell the scent of greenhouse flowers while driving down highways. That started after as well. I am not sure why I associate this with you but I surely do.
So yes, you have taught me, loved me, and I continue to cherish you. I wish we could really talk, catch up, go thrifting, visit corny parks, and live in each others moments. I miss that part of having you here.
Happy Happy Birthday my sister. Continue to enjoy your life beyond.
