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The Birthday Card I Will Never Send

Marie A Bailey

August 2 is my sister Shirley’s birthday. She would have been 76 today. Here’s the birthday card I bought for her a couple of months ago.

I think she would have gotten a kick out of it. 

During the viewing and funeral in early July, many people came up to me and said I looked just like Shirley, that I could be her twin. Growing up, I never really saw the resemblance. 

The sisters in 2007. Shirley is on the left, me on the right. Note that in this photo I have 20% less hair and 20% more body fat than I do now. Just saying …

I was blinded by our age gap. Now when I see photos of her, especially those from when she was in her 20s, I’m stunned by how much I looked like her when I was the same age. It makes me both happy and sad. I’m happy that when people see me, they see her too. I’m sad that I only came to know this now.

In any case … 

Happy Birthday, Shirley! I love you and miss you bunches.

 

Published by Marie A Bailey

I am a writer, knitter, cat mama, introvert, bleeding heart liberal, & Floridian via upstate NY and SF Bay Area. My church is in Nature, not religion. I dabble in iPhone photography, leaning toward "two-fers" such as insects on flowers.

25 thoughts on “The Birthday Card I Will Never Send”

  5. I’m so sorry again for your loss, Marie.
    I wonder if you had similar mannerisms. When my two are together, or even when they talk together, they are so much alike, even though now they don’t look that much alike.

    Happy Birthday to Shirley! Perhaps you can have a treat in her honor. 💙

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Resemblance is tricky. Both my parents thought I looked like their mother. I always thought I looked a lot like Mom.

    You made me smile, did growing your hair cause you to lose weight? Happy Birthday and happy memories.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. I have two sisters but we are not close. I always thought we were when we were children but as the years went by the gap has widened.
    How wonderful you had a close relationship with your sister🧡Hugs🧡

    Liked by 1 person

  10. I read this this morning, but through Facebook and no way to comment here. I love the photo of the two of you together. Your sister died way too young, Marie. Still sending you hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Hello and happy birthday, Shirley! You are a blessed sister. I’ve always longed for a sister, and now I know who I’d pick for a sister–either you or Marie or maybe both of you.

    Liked by 1 person

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