Today would have been my sister's 47th birthday. She's been gone for 29 years now. And I can still hear her voice, her laugh. I still miss her sense of humor.
I still celebrate her, but before you write me off as a huge nutjob, just give me a chance to explain why.
Kelly was my only sibling, and she was only three years younger than myself. Her birthday was as much of a big deal to me as it was to her. It was like a second birthday for me. And it was a several day affair, because it occurred so very near Halloween.
For a period of her life she actually hated that it was so near the holiday. Her birthday cake and decorations were always dominated by Halloween. So much so, that she rebelled at around age 6. She pitched so much of a fit, that my parents made a monumental effort to eliminate all references to the holiday, on what was her (I think) 6th birthday. Decorating her cake with a ballerina, and doing all the decorations in pink. Not an easy task in the late 60's, and a week from Halloween.
Halloween was still her favorite holiday, and she dropped her objections to the black and orange birthday decor the very next year. Witches and black cats were back in her favor again.
She always reveled in Halloween, because she loved costumes, makeup, treats, tricks, and parties. Not just on Halloween, Anytime! But especially, on that, particular holiday. Her world was a stage and she was the star.
It's hard to believe it's been 29 years. We were so close. I still miss her very much. Especially on her favorite holiday.