I think I have the best placement in my family. I am right in the middle.

I spend last week in Utah visiting with my two older sisters: Brigette and Sabina. Brigette had just moved into a new house, and Sabina was expecting her fifth and last child.

The week passed far too quickly, and I didn’t much welcome my flight home (except that I was eager to see Tom.) There is never enough time to do all the things I want. Regardless it was a wonderful visit, a very inspiring one.

I spent the first three days with Brigette. Friday night we went to a dance recital. Throughout the recital we danced and laughed reliving our own dance years together. During the recital Brigette made several comments: There are about 50 t-lets in this show. . . . I made those costumes. . .  I made those tutus. . .  I’ve taught about a third of the girls in this show. I couldn’t help being amazed at her many talents. Brigette was my dearest friend growing up, just three years older we were called the “little girls.” We came as a duo. I can thank much of my early expirementation in all things creative to Brigette. I took piano because she did, I started dance, because she danced. I learned to sew because she loved to. . . Getti was the type that stayed up until all hours of the night creating some craft or project that she had invisioned up in her head. I was the type who sat by her, slowly thinking and thinking and thinking about the best way to create the thing I saw on the picture in front of me, and rarely finishing because I was just too slow. Brigette’s creativity hasn’t slowed at all. She is now the C.E.O. of Gettis Accessories LLC. While I was there I got to see the “sweat shop” in her basement. It is equipped with three sergers, one sewing machine, a large cutting table equipped with three huge bolts of fabric- white, black and cream, an electrical fabric cutter (with a blade!) and many filing cabinets and tupperware which organizes her business. I felt so proud to be part of this grassroots business, and so impressed that my sister has built it into such a successful enterprise. (To see our product check here.)

One of Brigette’s latest interests has been gardening. (This may be one of the few things that I started before she did!) While I was there we built four planter boxes, weeded and planted a vegetable garden as well as cleared one of her beds and planted flowers. Gardening is a passion of mine and I am delighted that Brigette has joined in the fun.

I so admire Brigette. Thanks Gets, for being such an exemplary sister and for helping me think out of the box and be creative!

Sabina is my oldest sister, and the oldest child in our family. She has always confidently held the weight of that placement, and I thank her for creating the path along which so many of us younger siblings followed. Despite the nine years difference between our ages, Sabina and I have always had a special bond. I like to think of her as the woman I will be in nine years. Just out of luck I have been there for all of her childrens’ births. So I had to go for her last. Unfortunately she was overdue, and I missed the baby by a matter of hours, but I still delighted in her other four children.

Sabina is a career mother. By that I mean, that she has truly made a career out of mothering. She is constantly reading up on ideas to help her children be more responsible, informed, and loving people. Just one conversation with any of her four children and one is awed by their intelligence, maturity, and love of life.

Brecklyn is a creator (like her Aunt Brigette), plays the piano beautifully, acts, lives as if every day is her last, and is the kindest most thoughtful and affection oldest sister.

Talia plays the violin, is a gentle and sensitive girl with spunk and ready laughter. At 5 she reads, and already has an incredible ability towards self mastery.

However, Sabina does even more than just mothering (A full-time job in and of itself) she also keeps an immaculate and gorgeous flower and vegetable garden, she has renovated her entire house, and she is well connected in her neighborhood and community. How she manages to do all she does I will never know. (I must add she has a wonderfully supportive husband, whom I also love and adore.)

It was such a wonderful week. I only wish it had been longer. Thanks Sabina and Brigette for an inspiring visit. I love you.