Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Oldest And The Best-est - Take Two

Sorry all, I've figured out how you can view the video below. I apologize for the inconvenience. xo jj

Have you ever needed a little boost, a pick me up, a good laugh, or a few kind words to help turn your day around?

My oldest sister heard through the "family grapevine" that I was having a tough day. I'm the second of five kids and she's looked out for me since day one. Oldest Sister always teased that she's the "oldest and the best-est" of us five siblings but she took her "job" of watching out for all of us every seriously.

Below is a voice message she left for me when I returned home late one night from the hospital recently. It's an example of her generous heart, caring spirit, and how she watches out for me. That's Oldest Sister on the left with the long dark hair, along with the rest of us siblings when we were kids. Oh, and that first photo you'll see of the two of us if you click "play"-- when Oldest Sister was 4 and I was 2 1/2-- She cut her hair herself. Ha!


I've played this message at least a hundred times. It always makes me smile. I figured out how to save it on my laptop with a few favorite photos so I'd always have it. It's now a cherished memento that will last me a lifetime.

Today I wish Oldest Sister a very HAPPY cough*twenty-ninth* ahem BIRTHDAY! I love you a bushel and a peck too!

Isn't family great!?!
Welcome to The Fifty Factor - Joanna
Posted by Joanna Jenkins at 8:21 AM
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52 comments:

  1. HilarySeptember 15, 2009 at 1:22 AM

    The video won't play for me. The message says that it's a private video. I'm sure it's lovely though.. family always knows how to make life better. Happy birthday to your sister. :)

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  2. Cindy September 15, 2009 at 1:24 AM

    Nothing like sisters Joanna, I could not listen as I did not want to wake up my husband, I will in the am. Happy ahem 29th birthday to your sis. Big Hug, hope you are well.

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  3. Formerly known as FrauSeptember 15, 2009 at 1:48 AM

    Happy Birthday to your sis!! Sister are the best I have 4 and I wouldn't trade them for anything! Have a wonderful day, hope you are feeling better!

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  4. MariSeptember 15, 2009 at 2:55 AM

    The video won't play for me either - says private.
    Anyway - your sister sounds wonderful! Happy Birthday to her!

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  5. BethSeptember 15, 2009 at 3:08 AM

    Your sister sounds sweet. I wish mine were.

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  6. Brian MillerSeptember 15, 2009 at 3:52 AM

    family is wonderful, sometimes it just takes us a bit to realise it. happy birthday to sis. wish i could have seen the video. : (

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  7. AnonymousSeptember 15, 2009 at 3:56 AM

    I always wished I had a sister.


    The video is set to private. :(

    ReplyDelete
  8. People Who Know Me Would Say:September 15, 2009 at 4:04 AM

    The video is set to 'private' still.

    Family, however people define it, is wonderful. Happy birthday to older sis!

    I'm the second oldest of five kids too!

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  9. AnonymousSeptember 15, 2009 at 4:09 AM

    It's good to have someone who loves you!!

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  10. Diane, Fit to the FinishSeptember 15, 2009 at 4:41 AM

    I couldn't get it to work, but the message within your post says it all. You are blessed with a family that loves you - that's the greatest gift of all.

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  11. JoyceSeptember 15, 2009 at 5:20 AM

    Happy Birthday to your sister!! I hope all of her wishes come true and lots of birthday cake to celebrate.

    I hope the pain of not feeling good today has lessen my friend.

    I am an older sister and always wanted a big sister!

    Hugs... xoxo

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  12. HollySeptember 15, 2009 at 5:24 AM

    Okay, so by now you know that the video is locked as private. SO I won't tell you that.

    Did you know the video won't play?

    You're such a tease Joanna...not your most becoming quality.

    TEASE!

    Besides, I believe I do not see myself in that first picture I can see so perhaps it's not that important after all. I mean really, a family photo without the Snarky Sister who was separated from you at birth? Humph.

    Oh, and Happpy, happy birthday to your big sister. She really had a hard job trying to keep you on the straight and narrow!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Boozy ToothSeptember 15, 2009 at 5:29 AM

    Joanna, I'm crushed. I can't get the video to play... something about accepting a friend request. Did you also post this on Facebook?

    I guess I'll just have to imagine the awesomeness of your voicemail, but having some pretty fantastic Older Sisters of my own, that won't be hard to do.

    Sending happy 29th birthday winks to sissie.

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  14. MaggiSeptember 15, 2009 at 6:28 AM

    Happy birthday to your sister!

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  15. ♥ BrajaSeptember 15, 2009 at 7:07 AM

    Won't play!!
    But happy .... er....somethin' :))

    ReplyDelete
  16. Everyday GoddessSeptember 15, 2009 at 7:16 AM

    Sorry I couldn't play it!

    Happy Birthday to Oldest Sister.

    And glad you are connecting with a long ago part of yourself!

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  17. UnknownSeptember 15, 2009 at 7:57 AM

    couldn't play the video, but I agree, sisters are the best!

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  18. SusanSeptember 15, 2009 at 8:05 AM

    Now that you have intrigued us, you will have to tell us what the video says!
    I'm the oldest of five close siblings also - we have so much fun reliving the dysfunctional past - we can laugh now.

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  19. JoanneSeptember 15, 2009 at 8:36 AM

    Aww I also wish I had a sister. And in real life I ended up with two sisters-in-law (one with each hubby) one was much older and crazy and now the new one is much younger and even crazier. Maybe that's why I love the internet I have discovered so many sisters here.

    So glad you can keep that message - something I would think you can cherish forever.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Bill LislemanSeptember 15, 2009 at 8:47 AM

    good job with the pics and audio.

    I've saved some voicemails but I wish it was easier to do.

    What's your sis think of her voice being out here for us to enjoy?

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  21. HollySeptember 15, 2009 at 8:50 AM

    I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug for making this work so I could hear it!

    ReplyDelete
  22. PseudoSeptember 15, 2009 at 8:57 AM

    I loved this. Am also having a difficult week/month... and my older sister's birthday is Thursday.

    We used to sing the bushel love song at our house too ; -)

    ReplyDelete
  23. JoyceSeptember 15, 2009 at 9:04 AM

    I LOVE it, so cute!! Thanks J for sharing your big sister with us. I want a big sister to sing me a song! Do you think it is too last to ask Santa for this request?! Enjoy your golden day my friend. xoxo

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  24. Kristina P.September 15, 2009 at 9:13 AM

    Very cute! Happy birthday to your sister!

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  25. LadyFiSeptember 15, 2009 at 9:37 AM

    Not only is she kind - but she's daring too..singing on your phone.

    Happy Birthday sis!

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  26. bettySeptember 15, 2009 at 9:44 AM

    so cute! love the video and her words "a bushel and a peck" haven't heard that in a long time! what a sweet gesture for her to do for you to cheer you up when you needed it

    Happy birthday to your sister; wishing her lots more!

    betty

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  27. BrightceteraSeptember 15, 2009 at 10:01 AM

    That is the bestest!

    Happy Birthday to your Bestest Sister!

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  28. EkanthapadhikanSeptember 15, 2009 at 10:08 AM

    You do have the best-est of sisters in this world. And covey my B'day wishes to her.

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  29. chocolatecovereddaydreams.blogspot.comSeptember 15, 2009 at 10:48 AM

    Great people were born today! My baby girl's 22nd birthday is also today!

    I loved your sister's message to you. I also save voice mail messages. Cherished memories and you all were so very cute. Nothing like having a big sister to look after all of you and keep you in line!

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  30. CiCiSeptember 15, 2009 at 11:04 AM

    This is a wonderful video!! Happy birthday to you older sister. Love her hair cut and her spirit of independence to cut it herself!

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  31. janeSeptember 15, 2009 at 11:06 AM

    what a great gift! she even made me smile! yup sisters are the best! besos!

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  32. AnonymousSeptember 15, 2009 at 11:28 AM

    Isn't that kind of unconditional love the best feeling? Many happy returns to her!

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  33. AnonymousSeptember 15, 2009 at 11:50 AM

    Aww! What a great sister! Happy Birthday, Oldest & Bestest Joanna's sister!

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  34. Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise)September 15, 2009 at 12:00 PM

    The video is obviously meant just for you dear girl. Your sis sounds great, so happy birthday to the great sis that put a smile on your face! Have a happy day!!!

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  35. yorksnbeansSeptember 15, 2009 at 1:35 PM

    I cried when I found out I got a THIRD brother. It was my last chance for a sister, but it didn't happen.

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  36. ChristineSeptember 15, 2009 at 2:06 PM

    Happy Birthday to your sister! Cute idea to preserve memories on Youtube.

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  37. MikeSeptember 15, 2009 at 4:37 PM

    That is so great!!!!

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  38. Margaret CloudSeptember 15, 2009 at 4:57 PM

    That is so sweet of your sister, tell her happy birthday and hope she has fun. This makes me miss my older sister also, I have to talk to her in prayer, she has been gone 30 years now. Have a nice week.

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  39. MarybrittaSeptember 15, 2009 at 4:57 PM

    this is just to fabulous for words!

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  40. Green-Eyed MomsterSeptember 15, 2009 at 5:15 PM

    I must admit, you have a wonderful family! Happy Birthday to your sister! I hope all her dreams come true on her 29th birthday!

    Hugs!!

    P.S. I have a wonderful big sister too and her birthday is this month too!

    ReplyDelete
  41. AnonymousSeptember 15, 2009 at 5:28 PM

    That was really sweet!

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  42. Miss YvonneSeptember 15, 2009 at 5:45 PM

    OMG, my Dad used to sing this song to me all the time when I was little! And then he sang it to his grandchildren. You just totally made my day hearing that.

    ReplyDelete
  43. KathySeptember 15, 2009 at 6:37 PM

    I use to sing that to my kids! Wow did that bring back some happy memories.

    My younger sister moved to SC when our kids were really little. We would talk occasionally, but not a lot.

    Our mom passed away in 1998 and my sister took it really, really hard.I started e-mailing and calling her constantly.

    We now talk almost every day either through e-mail, texting or by phone. We are still sad at losing our mom, but so happy that it brought us together.

    Sisters are wonderful and I am so grateful for all 3 of mine.

    Thank you so much for the wonderful post and the special memories.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Claudya MartinezSeptember 15, 2009 at 7:07 PM

    Aww, awesome. Feliz Cumpleaños to your Sis!

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  45. MattySeptember 15, 2009 at 7:11 PM

    That is the neatest thing. You are a blogging genius.

    What a great big sis you have.

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  46. Maude LynnSeptember 15, 2009 at 7:15 PM

    That is so sweet!

    Happy Birthday to your sister!

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  47. Sharon RoseSeptember 15, 2009 at 7:17 PM

    What a great big sister you have. That was so sweet! It reminds my of my relationship with my little sister.
    It appears you have a sister like mine. . . a keeper!

    Happy birthday big sis!

    ReplyDelete
  48. JeanieSeptember 15, 2009 at 7:50 PM

    Like Miss Yvonne, you made my day with the song...my mother sang it all the time when I was little. I wish I had a sister, but I love that my 2 daughters are best friends.

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  49. grannyannSeptember 16, 2009 at 7:33 AM

    That's funny as I was recently singing that song to my grandson. Of course he looks at me like I have lost it (not a modern song!)

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  50. Joanna JenkinsSeptember 16, 2009 at 6:09 PM

    You guys are the GREATEST! I can't tell you how much your kind words meant to my sister! It was a fabulous birthday present for her. A million thanks! xo jj

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  51. mommakinSeptember 17, 2009 at 9:04 AM

    Sisters are the best.

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  52. NishantSeptember 18, 2009 at 11:50 PM

    sisters are the best I have 4 and I wouldn't trade them for anything! Have a wonderful day, hope you are feeling better!
    Make website india

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by and commenting, I really appreciate it.

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