Jodi's Tribute

My sister Jodi has always been there for me. Always. I know I can call on her no matter what. It never matters how angry she is or has been with me, or I am or have been with her. She's always on my side. Her attitude is, "Family is family now lets kick some ass."

We're very different people, I've aspired to be different from her (mainly for individualitie's sake) as many times as I've aspired to be like her. I don't doubt that my life has been easier then hers. But everything she's learned the hard way was something I didn't have to experience first hand. If or when I've struggled, Jodi would blaze through watever it was and say, "See told ya not to worry!" or "Ok, don't do that."

As kids she was the person I whispered, "I'm scared" to in the middle of the night. Nothing got her to the foot of my bed faster. Her nature to under play the severity of any situation gave me strength to just do it, no matter what I was afraid of. I'm pretty sure there have been things I've pushed through just to show her that it really was a dire situation. Jodi was the first to point out to me that I am in fact a Drama Queen.

As adults, "I'm scared" happens far less often, but it has the same effect. She would (and has) spent all night listing the reasons why fear is normal and without it we would be sunk. While giving me the support only she could provide. Because so often the effect is not the words, it's who's saying them. Then when I found myself confronting the spoken fear, her words would resonate through my mind. Sometimes all she could say was, "I've got your back". And I don't think she knows this but... so many times, that's all I needed to hear. Jodi rarely ever asks for help. Maybe it's because I'm the little sister. I think it has more to do with her, "I can take on the world alone if I have to." attitude. Jodi isn't one to ask for help unless she's tried every other possible way. And with the little help she's accepted along the way, she has taken on the world and she's such a better person for it. My sister has succeeded in more ways then she credits herself for.

I don't think words can explain Jodi. Sentences scarecely do justice. Because, like me, Jodi needs no explanation. We are the way we are, take it or leave it. But some words that come to mind are: strong, compassionate, independant, private, smart, serious, seriously funny, determined, kind and caring.

A lot of people find conversatons betwen Jodi and I confusing. they say it sounds almost one sided, except that there are two voices. This is because since we were kids, Jodi and I could finish each others thoughts and sentences. So much to the point that when we get into a good conversation no one else understands what we're laughing about. As kids mom could swear we were up to something.

Jodi doesn't like phony people. Like me, she can pick them out of a group. And while she's friendly she doesn't care if she's got one friend or a million as long as they're real friends. The way she is about this has taught me that I can be how ever and whom ever I want, as long as I'm true to myself.

When I was about 6 years old Jodi and I rode the same school bus. Three girls my age attacked me. They pulled my hair out in clumps, and beat on me. The bus driver did nothing. For the rest of the year, Jodi sat beside me on the bus. In second grade my teacher hit me over the head with a pointer stick. It left a golf ball sized welt on the crown of my head. I was scared and ashamed to tell mom and dad. Not knowing what to do I told Jodi, who'd promised not to tell anyone. Of coarse she had to protect me. Jodi told our mom. The teacher found herself apologizing to me and wasn't allowed to use the pointer stick any more.

A few years ago I found myself in a situation that I thought was just horrible. Truthfully, the worst thing I could have imagined happening, happened. Jodi called, she explained how lucky I was to have a fresh chance, a new start, with freedom and my own choices. "You might make some mistakes but those mistakes are yours to make now!" she told me. Then she listed the people who could help me and how they could do so. Jodi told me whom to call first and what I needed to know about them. By the time I got off the phone with her I was ecstatic about all of the options I had available to me. She helped me realize what I'd thought was the worst thing... was actually the very absolute best thing that could have happened. Later, when I needed to go, Dad had said, "Move forward before you find yourself in reverse." I didn't know where I was headed, I just knew I needed to create forward motion. The family was so happy to see any motion from me at all! Jodi's house was the most logical place at the time, so she gave me a place to go. When I did find my path, it was right next door to her. Most of the things she has done were things sisters expect to do for each other. Sister-hood is an important bond that is instant at birth and grows stronger over time. One thing she did without thinking and without expectation affected my life wonderfully. She introduced me to Rob. If she hadn't given me somewhere to go and then helped me find my own place to belong... I wouldn't have been on my porch, which was less then 3 feet from hers... where I met the man I'd prayed for so many times. Thank you so much for that and all you've done for me!! I love you Sis!!! 

Jodi has always loved roses. She keeps them around the house as much as possible.

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