November 12 - Day 12

Today I am thankful that God blessed me with a Sister; although she was taken far to early in life I am thankful I had the 16 years I did have with her.  Cortney was beautiful inside and out.  She was my sister, my best friend, and one that I could talk to about anything and everything.  Her smile would light up a room and her personality would too!  Today is her Birthday and the memory that keeps popping in my head is the memory of the Birthday Parties we'd have each year.  We had a full basement in our house we grew up in.  It had one bedroom and a laundry room and the rest was just a big room to hangout, play pool, and just play!  Cortney would invite all of our friends for her birthday and we'd probably have 50 people down there.  Some of the funnest memories I can remember.

I have a small book of pictures of me and Cortney that I cherish beyond measure. This pictures cracks me up of us when we were little. 

I'm holding a gift in my hand, not sure when it was taken or whose birthday but  I love it!

Cortney and I would play, and play, and play together when we were little.  We shared a little 4-wheeler and I'd give her rides all over the pasture on it.  She got to drive on occasion but she had far more wrecks than I did so I usually drove.  We would play "house" and "Church" in the basement for hours on end.  We'd swim, jump on the trampoline, and ride 4 wheelers all day everyday.

This picture was taken in Stillwater and was taken the weekend before she was killed. Cortney got to come stay with me in the Kappa house over her Fall Break.  I love that my college friends got to meet her.  We talked all weekend about when she'd get to come to Stillwater and hang out again, and about when she graduated that she could live there too!

I don't like this picture a lot because Cortney is crying but I do like it for the reason behind it. She was cheering in Regionals one Saturday and I didn't think I was going to be able to make it.  The College life was "too busy" ~ but I changed my mind that morning and rushed over to see her and the squad perform.  After the competition when she saw me she started crying because she was so glad I came.  I would've never forgiven myself if I wouldn't have been there.  Cheerleading was one of the many things that Cortney and I did together, and something that we shared in common with our friends.   Sometimes I think God pushes us to do things and I am thankful because we never know when the last time will be to see or talk to someone.  This was the last time I got to see her cheer, and they won Regionals and were heading to State! 

This was taken in front of the Kappa house the weekend she 

came to stay with me, and we were heading to a game.

THANKFUL for these final fews days I had with her.  Enjoyed

many laughs and some made precious memories with my best

friend one last time.

Today she is having a Birthday celebration beyond what any of us can imagine.  She is 32 years old today and I can help but wonder what she'd be like if she were still here.  I know one thing, she's having a BIG party like she had so many times when we were growing up, and she's smiling down on us.  Love you SO much Cortney ~ So very blessed and thankful to call you my Sister.

"Sometimes when life seems difficult I remember our childhood days full of laughter & love.  Then I am able to life my spirits and lighten my outlook.  The memories we share remind me of how lucky I am to have a sister like you. People we meet see a little of you in me and a little of me in you.  I look at you and my eyes look back. I speak and I hear your voice.
The memories we share remind me of how lucky I am to have a sister like you." (from a book Cortney gave me when I graduated.)