Birthday Blog: Meet Minky

As you may, or may not know, my sister closest in age is not in fact named Minky. Her given name is Melinda, but most people call her Mindy. Nearly nine years ago, though, a person we have known most of our lives wrote her name as MINKY on a sales receipt. We laughed and laughed. And then thought, actually...that's a PERFECT name for you! So, there you have it. How Minks got her name. My kids only call her this. And if they try to call her Mindy, she won't answer. "Excuse me" she says, "It's Minky, to you."

Mindy was born March 30th, and is two years older than me. Growing up, if she and I weren't fighting, then she was mothering me. I'm pretty sure that the definition of her name means, "Giving." There really is no other word to fully describe her. She's the kind of person that when you compliment something of hers, she asks you if you want it. For real. I think it must make her kids and husband crazy, her offering their things all the time. But she does, and she means it. And it's not just possessions shes giving with. It's time and talents, also. She LOVES children, and is always willing to watch others, at the drop of a hat. (you may have noticed this, as I am writing this from Maui - leaving my children with her much of this time) She's also an amazing hair dresser. She always does my hair for me on my birthday. (more if I'd like, but I don't like to get my hair done a lot) I haven't paid for a hair cut in nearly a decade.

As a kid, Mindy was the peace maker. (still is) She hates contention and fighting. She has always been the one I go to with any troubles. She took me shopping for my first training bra; her 12 and me 10. She gave me all the pointers of 'becoming a woman.' (too much info, I know) She made sure I didn't look too dorky on my first day of junior high. Through our years of school, she let me borrow her clothes, kept me in the "know" of all things cool, drove me around, let me be friends with her friends, took me to dances, let me cry to her, rubbed my back when I was sick, wiped my eyes when i was sad....and much, much more. We were the last two at home, so we spent a lot of time together. Family trips consisted of just her and I as the kids. (this is one of the reasons she and I wanted to take another coosh vacation together-living the dream)

Mindy is sweet, kind and funny. She's always been, by far, 'cooler' than me. (or than most people I know, for that matter) As a teenager, she always had cutting edge clothes and hair. When she was 14 she shaved (nearly) half her hair on one side and kept the other long, to her chin. (called a 'stab' I think) It was very cool. My dad yelled and swore at her at the Alderwood Mall for this. She looked good though, and was the only person I knew that would wear the cut. My parents got over it, and she continued being a good girl. Still is. She had posters of Boy George, Marylin Monroe and the like, all over her room. She had lava lamps, cool art work, and burned incense regularly.

Get the picture? This was all during the full on Debbie Gibson, MC Hammer years. Believe me, she was the coolest.

So what happened to all this coolness?

She's still got it. Don't worry.

She's still the nicest, most fun and loving person. She's even forgiven me for telling my friend how much she weighed when she was in sixth grade and I was in fourth. She still has the greatest hair, house wares, clothes, and cars. She's an amazing mother, friend, and wife. She is wonderful.

Really.

When her first husband left her and her kids, five years ago, I couldn't believe it happened to her. The most unconditionally loving person. One who loves forever, was being treated like garbage. (yeah, I think you know that I'm not most the things she is - so I was REALLY mad and NOT forgiving.) I hated seeing someone so loving and trusting, be squashed by the person she loved the most. BUT, never fear!! She moved on and has found true happiness. She married a wonderful man that loves her and her kids to death. (and beyond) She is happy. And this, of course, makes everyone she knows happy. Because remember, she is giving.

She gives what she has.

And she has happiness.



*As you know, birthday blogs are for laughs. Don't fear, my devoted fans. (all two of you) When I get back to my computer at home, I've got some sweet pictures of her to post. Don't fret! You'll laugh!)