Gina's Sister

Last year, my sister Michele earned her nursing degree and, of course, we are all very proud of her. For her graduation, I borrowed a friend's video camera and she told me her husband would transfer onto a DVD for me. Awesome, right? Well.... When I got the DVD back, written on the DVD itself it said "Gina's Sister"

Okay, I laughed. This is Michele's big day captured on video and her name isn't on it. But it get's better. My friend's husband went so far as to put actual title's ON THE DVD itself and what is captured forever on this video is Gina's Sister's Graduation. I laughed so hard I cried. This has now become a running joke in our household. Birthday and Christmas cards are addressed to: Gina's Sister or 'Love Gina's Sister, Gina's Brother-in-Law, Gina's Niece and Gina's Nephew"

Then I got my contract to be published. My parents, while at a block party last year talked about my being published. This was at the same time Michele and her family moved out of our parent's house (where they lived while Michele finished school) and rented a house not too far away. The easiest way to describe it to the nieghbor's was to mention a big, ugly fence. Well, they have one neighbor that isn't the most tactful. While my parents were talking about my book, he said, "Well, it's not like she's going to be famous!" About a week later, my sister, doing a favor for my parents, came in contact with this neighbor's son. He asked this, "Are you the daughter with the book or the one who lives in the house with the ugly fence?" Michele replied, "I'm the NURSE who lives in the house with the ugly fence."

This past week we had a death in our family and saw many, many relatives whom we have not seen in years. My book has been out about 2 months and it's still a hot topic amongst the family. So as my mom is introducing us to her cousins the conversations went along these lines. "This is my oldest daughter, Gina." Their reply, "Oh, you're the one who wrote the book?" Then my mom would say, and my daughter, Michele, who is a nurse."

Thank goodness my sister has a sense of humor because God knows I could NEVER do her job. I admire her more than she knows. Michele was one of those people who needed time after high school before she was ready for college, but once she decided she was, she put everything into it. But she was also a mother at that point, as well. She got straight A's while working and going to school at night. She had 2 children when she decided go for her nursing. Her dedication and drive is amazing and she achieved her dream. The job she does is hard and exhausting and so much more deserving of recognition.

Yes, my book is published and my dream came true, but I would be proud and honored to be introduced as Michele's sister.