Every family needs a medical person. Ours is my sister Melinda. She has been our go-to since she was in nursing school. Now that she has her doctorate and is a nurse practitioner with over 30 years of experience, she has no way out of being our family’s designated medical person. From phone calls about my kids’ boo-boos to my own aging body she has heard it all. She does this because she loves us and because she is an expert whom we trust. It is only natural that she is also the official medical power of attorney on all the forms. Wisdom puts her as first on the list. But this year being ‘the one’ has been exceptionally difficult. So many decisions had to be made. As a family, yes, but her signature is on the papers and that takes a toll. I know how much she cares and I see the weight of the kind of love that puts our lives in her hands.

Today is her 59^th birthday. I want to celebrate her and how much she means to me and our family. Her calm in the midst of storms has held us all together. Her compassion and respect for all the family members she has represented has made an impact not just on the rest of the family, but also the medical personnel associated with each hospitalization. The teams at each facility have even invited her to move to their city and work for them!

Mom and Dad were so proud of her. They regularly consulted her regarding test results, medication changes, and all things dementia. She has done phenomenal job caring for both of them. She has given them her best self at the end of their lives. Their decision to place her as their medical spokesperson was well placed. I know they are looking down over the past couple of weeks, with even more loss stacking onto her shoulders, and they are telling her, “You are doing a great job. Keep going. You are good at what you do. Rest, but keep your chin up. Take care of yourself, but remember how many lives you have saved and how many families you have touched. You are amazing and we are proud you are our daughter.” I can hear them comforting and encouraging her.

She is much more than a medical voice for our family. She is an exceptional practitioner with a long career of success. She is a great wife and mom. She can cook and host as well as Mom did. She is an author. An advocate for caregivers. A potter. An artist. An amazing sister who has become my best friend over these most difficult years. She is a woman of faith, who practices what she sees Jesus doing. I am proud she is my sister…I always have been. Happy Birthday Melinda…praying for smoother sailing this year and less stormy weather. You deserve a break!!