County Fair with Baby "Sha-wa"

My sister and I were the best of friends when we both were small. She is 28 months younger than I. When I was a toddler and proud of my role as a brand-new big sister, I pronounced her name (Sarah) through the side of my mouth, as "Sha-wa." I would frequently refer to her as "Baby Sha-wa." She had dark, curly hair- such a contrast to my thin, straighter-than-straight blonde hair.

We were the best of playmates- share-ers of Cabbage Patch dolls, CareBears, Crayons and bed-tents. Prime taste-testers for cookie dough and mashed potatoes, lovers of pumpkin-pie... Before we realized the unpleasant effects of having to share a bathroom... Before we were both in high school and became so easily annoyed with the other... Before every difference in our interests & personalities seemed monumental. When it was so easy to argue and get mad. It was easy to nit-pick and find faults--often having them ourselves- of course we could not admit it. Growing up, everyone always thought that she was the older sister. You can imagine how much I truly loved that. (Sarcasm.)

Now that we're adults, leading our own lives, and have found ways to accept our differences & similarities. Also now that we are actually living relatively near-by to another, and in the same town-- we've been able to create opportunities to spend time together. And gasp!! We actually enjoy each other! She's spent several months traveling overseas, living in Washington, and I lived in Goodyear & Sedona. Now we both are in Flagstaff. I'm so glad for this chapter in time that allows us to celebrate both our differences and similarities--together.

I drive past her apartment every day on my way to school. Every Friday, I leave her a "love note" from (her) YBS. I have signed my notes to her this way for years- from: "Your Big Sister." I often stick these notes underneath her windshield wipers. I even keep a box of plastic baggies in my car now that we've been getting rain on a regular basis. I often cut out cartoons or fun quotes or jokes, and glue them to these notes. I love that she knows they are from me, and that I'm saying hello. Even if we may not have had time together for a few weeks...

This weekend, we held fast to a long-time family favorite, attending the County Fair!!

I love the people-watching, the scanning-crowds-for-faces-I-know, the families enjoying their day together, couples hand-in-hand, the junior-high kids who think the fair is the next "big deal" and "coolest date ever"... The lights, the scents, the noises... The fair has always been one of my favorite memories and experiences to, well, experience!

We laughed our heads off playing the 2-ticket (often-rigged) arcade games. Our favorite has always been the squirt-water-into the clowns' mouth water gun race. We rarely ever win, but still enjoy it immensely!

Hearing the laughing kids as they ride high above the crowds.

Seeing the children wave at their families below- feeling soooooo high above the world!

Part of people-watching has always been to observe (laugh) at peoples' expressions as they enjoy the carnival rides:
Riding the Zipper...

Riding the Zipper... Around and around the track while being spun backwards, forwards, upside down, and over & over. It's my carnival favorite ride, and most certainly my biggest adrenaline rush of the day! (What could possibly be scary about flipping around and around, upside down, while inside a tiny metal cage!?) This ride also illustrates another difference in my sister & I. Here is Sarah's uncertain reaction:

Eating the several favorite fried fair foods... Curly fries smothered in liquid cheddar cheese. Kettle corn, roasted corn on the cob, Navajo tacos on fry bread, & caramel apples... Sooo unhealthy & sooo delicous-- it is pointless to try to eat healthy! Eating this way is simply part of "the experience"- fact!! (Once a year, folks!!)

Truly-- This was a wonderful day with one of my most favorite people on the planet, certainly one of those that I love so infinitely much.

I can't help but wonder about the future I'd like to have as a mother someday. I hope that if I end up with 2 children, whether they be girl & girl, or boy & girl-- that they love each other as much as I love MY sister. I consider myself incredibly lucky now-- and would consider myself the luckiest mama in the world should my children appreciate each other.