Birthday girl

The beauties: niece Lauren, birthday girl Erin, niece Taylor

I met her a few times before she came into my life.
She was quiet and beautiful and mysterious.
She was the answer to my prayers.
I'd been a "lone" for 10 years.
My mother brought her home while I was in school.
I could think of nothing else.
I pedaled my no-speed bike home as fast as my skinny legs allowed that day.
My mother was tenderly feeding her fruit cocktail as she sat in the thrift-store high chair.
Her eyes like saucers as I burst through the door.
Her eyes have always been like saucers.
That night she sang herself to sleep in her crib.
Her crib, so close by my single bed.
I didn't sleep much.
I watched through the darkness.
I listened through the darkness.
I loved through the darkness.
My sister.
Erin.