I come from a Catholic family. We have over 25 first cousins on my mom’s side and about the same on my dad’s side. I’m blessed with 16 nieces and nephews who’ve grown into friends and, best of all, I have six siblings – four brothers and two sisters.
The boys – Jimmy, Johnny, Joey and Jeff – are incredible men. Talented and thoughtful, they survived having three sisters.
Like their brothers, Diane and Donna are creative and caring. More than that, they are strong women and my best friends.
We’ve shared rooms and shoes. We’ve shared clothes, from high school sweaters and skirts to maternity pants and tops.
For many years, we took “sister trips.” We’ve been on a night-time ghost tour in Charleston, played laser tag in Las Vegas and enjoyed a late-night snack on china plates and real silverware at a bed and breakfast in Ashville, S.C.
Most families have a member who’s the firecracker, the one who keeps things lively. Diane, my younger sister by five years, is that for us.
When people asked if she was Denise’s sister, she’d say, “No, Denise is MY sister.” That confidence has served her well.
She studied computer science, graduated from LSU with honors while married with three children under the age of 3. I remember going over to their tiny apartment and seeing her holding a baby while cooking dinner, a textbook propped on the cramped counter.
She is her company’s benefits manager where she knows the rules and never forgets employees are people. She’s held state offices, has volunteered with Child Advocates and has achieved milestones in a field often dominated by men.
All of her children played soccer, and Diane and John never missed a game. For years, Diane was the mom with the camera, and she photographed her children and everyone on the team.
She loves her fantastic children and grandchildren with all her heart and soul. Diane is the person you want on your side because she never gives up and will never surrender.
I owe her an apology because I teased her about having thick, curly hair. Sis, I’d give anything to have your hair and those hazel-green eyes.
Donna is 10 years younger than me but that age difference has never seemed important to us. We connected as sisters and now as friends.
When she was 4-years-old, there was a beauty pageant in town in her age group. I saw the posters and told my mom Donna would win. Donna has the softest brown eyes, gorgeous, thick hair and a smile that lights up any room.
On the day of the pageant, Donna saw all the people in the audience and got stage fright. Those big brown eyes filled with tears. My mom took one look at her scared little girl and told her she didn’t have to be in the pageant.
I was livid. I knew my sister would win and I thought my mom should’ve made Donna compete. Mom did the right thing as Donna didn’t need that beauty pageant trophy – she’s won many more accolades.
Donna taught pre-schoolers for years, and we loved hearing her stories. I envied Donna as it takes a loving adult to get down on a little one’s level with a smile.
She’s now helps high schoolers believe in themselves and find the right secondary education fit. She connects with teens in a special way, and her three now-grown children are incredible humans.
Donna’s always gotten appreciative looks from people as there’s a charisma about her. Not just her beauty but from a light that shines from inside.
Neither Diane nor Donna suffer fools easily – they are just as likely to put someone in their place in the grocery store line as they are at a town meeting.
They’d both give me the shirt off their backs – which they unknowingly did when I raided their closets – and they’ve forgiven me my many transgressions.
I couldn’t ask for better friends than my beloved and delightful sisters, and I thank the heavens every day for putting these smart, generous and quick-witted women in my life.
And for the record, Donna would’ve won that beauty pageant hands down.
This column was originally published in The Fort Bend Herald.