My Dear Lil' Sister,

There are little clues in every room of my house that remind me of how much you must love me.

The front room is the place where Baby spends most of his time, swaddled in the soft yellow afghan you crocheted for him.

Every morning in the kitchen I spread sweet honey from the jar you boiled for me after it sat crystallized in the cupboard for way too long.

When Halloween was over, I hated to take down the happy paper bats that fluttered over the dining room table all those weeks...I probably would have never gotten around to hanging them.

The DVD player still sits unconnected in the back room, but I love that you tried. I still haven't tried.

My favorite movie (the one you watched with me in the family room the night before I gave birth) still sits on top of the entertainment center. I should put it away now.

In the laundry room, the pink bottle of baby detergent you brought pours out fresh-smelling blessings every day.

The guest bedroom where you slept seems so empty now.

Every night Baby slumbers in my room in the cradle you helped me put together, the one our father made for me when I was still in the womb myself.

When I see the material you ironed (I'm so sorry you got burned!) hanging under my daughter's bed, I will always remember how determined you were to help me finish my long overdue unfinished projects.

In the boys' room, there's a pumpkin bucket that is empty because Baby did not gather candy when he went trick-or-treating (but next year he will). How did you know my children needed trick-or-treating buckets? You are perfect for me, Lil' Sister.

Whenever I see the fingernail polish in the bathroom I will remember how you carefully painted each of my fingers and toes and gently rubbed my swollen, tired feet. And the hair conditioner you gifted smells like mint, but also like care if care had a smell.

I am daily reminded of how grateful I am for you when I see the hair on each child's head, lovingly trimmed and softly strengthened by your talented hands.

As you battled your own first trimester fatigue (and sickness that lasts much longer than morning), you helped me prepare for the end of my last trimester, most likely the last one I will ever have.

You made the end special, which made a special beginning for all of us.

Thank you.

Love,
The Biggest Sister