Fathers and Sisters
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Happy Sunday Buddies!
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And a Very Happy Fathers Day to my male buddies whom are also dads?You guys rock!!!
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Well. This weekend has been a pretty special one for me?
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I have, of course, spent most of it in my hometown, which is about 45 minutes away reacquainting with my sister Michele, my BIL Rick, and my niece Whitley. I had not seen them in three years?
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My niece left a 10 year old, and has returned a beautiful young woman! At the age of 13, she is as tall as me and as cute as a button?I just can?t believe this is the same little girl. 
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She was actually the FIRST one to christen me with the name you all now call me. YEP. From her first talking days, she has called me Aunt Dawnie?She started the fad!
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The craziest thing is, when I walked into my mom?s house yesterday, it was truly as if no time at all had passed. My sister and I immediately fell into our sister routine. (You sisters out there know what I mean). We teased my mom. We talked about various family members who got on our nerves. We talked about each others weight loss…
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She has lost over 100 pounds (regained 20 though this past winter due to medication) and I with my 60-ish pounds?
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We spent all day together talking. Shopping. Hanging out. And it was as if no time at all had passed. I am ever so glad to have her home. I got to fill her in on my very crazy and chaotic year?And she offered me the support, love and advice that only an older sister can?
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She was astounded at my weight loss. When last she saw me I was 215 pounds?
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Together, we have committed to help each other finish this weight loss journey. She to re-lose her 20 pounds. Me to get my final 30 off.
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I am actually, at this point, smaller then her, and it bothers her much?I wish it didn?t. For I want her to be happy for me, as I am sooo happy and proud of her?I know she will get those pounds off?I don?t care who is bigger at this point. Honestly. I am just glad we are both under 200 pounds for the first time in over 15 years?
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I will say, though, that the friendly competition has kicked in, and I told her, she better watch out, as I am gonna whoop her butt on this one! She is the motivation I have been waiting for this year?
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Today, I went down again, because it?s Fathers Day…
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You may remember my father passed away 4 years ago in June. 
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So June is a hard month for us. His birthday was in June. Fathers Day is in June, and his death date is in June. Yep. June kinda sucks for me?
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But we had a lovely day today. We picked out a nice plant to take to the cemetery. We spent over two hours at the cemetery, talking, laughing, and crying?Her, her husband and daughter and me and Stevie?It was therapeutic and much needed. And I think my dad would have approved.
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So to finish, I shall wish my dad a VERY happy father?s day! I miss you just as much today as I did 4 years ago?
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And whether you are 5, 35, or 95, you just never stop missing your parents?
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It is remarkable how through his death we have gained more love, understanding and forgiveness of his flaws…
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In life, he was a hard man to love, and a somewhat spotty dad. In death, it no longer seems to matter.
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I miss you dad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I hope that you are proud of the woman I have become?
Dawnie, glad to hear you had such a nice weekend connecting with your sister. It will be nice having that sisterly competition with her too!
I understand how you were today missing your dad. My day was like that too. My dad passed away almost 9 years ago. I miss him every day, but days like Fathers Day I miss him even more. I got a little pissed at my hubby he called his dad before we were to go over to give him his gift and he was not home. Hubby was ranting and raving about it and said I guess I will have to give it to him tomorrow. I told him at least you can do that, at least you still have your dad to do that with, I don’t have my dad for any days, so how do you think I feel? His dad ending up stopping at our house so all worked out good!
Have a great week!
Dawnie, missing your dad on this day is completely understandable. I know it can’t be an easy month for you! I am, however, so glad that you and your sister (and her family) got a chance to reconnect! That does make it a special day! And GFY for spurring each other on!
A little friendly competition wouldn’t hurt ANY OF US! 
Anyway, I’m so glad to hear how well things went with your family visit!
I’m more than positive that he would have been more than proud of you Dawnie. I’m glad you had a wonderful weekend.
I am glad to got to hang out with your sister. I have only one sister and she is leave at the end of next month to go to college. I am proud she is going to college, but I know I am going to miss her like crazy. Just thinking about it makes me get teared up. But those moments are so wonderful. I am glad to see you back safe too. I am sure you father would be proud of both of you for your weight loss.
I still have both of my parents and am feel so lucky and grateful for that. I don’t know what I’d do without them. As for your sis and yourself loosing weight together, that is such a wonderful thing, you know!! When I started dropping pounds, my sis didn’t have enough strenght to do it and I know she wishes she had… she’s very supportive, not an envious bone in her… it’s just that I can see a sad twinkle in her eyes because of it, sometimes. She’s the greatest, though, and she’s going through a tough time in her life. I’ll be there for here when she’s up for it… sisters are so important!!! They’re the people that understand where we come from and some of issues we have even more than parents, I think. Sisters are precious.
Sounds like you had a wonderful weekend with your sister and family. Congratulations for reaffirming your commitment to losing those last 30 pounds and for supporting your sister in her 20 pound loss. You two can be great challenge partners!!
You are doing a great job and you look FABULOUS in that new picture you posted!!!! Keep up the great work!
I am sure your father would be hugely proud of you. You are an amazing woman, happy, determined and truly inspirational.
I’m sure he is proud of all as we all are!
I’m so grateful to still have my dad with me. How cool about your niece! That sounds like fun!
Hi Dawn! That is awesome about your sister… I have three younger sisters, and you are right, there is such a special bond between us, that only sisters have. That’s great that you guys can support and motivate each other.
I am sorry about your father, however I am sure he is definitely proud of the woman you’ve become. You are a great person!
Good luck on your last 30, I know we can do it this year girl!!!