Happy Birthday Monkey...

This is for my little sister, who has been an incredible part of my life!  I will admit that when she came into our lives, I was extremely jealous...hello, "I" was the baby girl.  But given how/when she arrived, she truly was a blessing.  The short time I had with her when she was just born was like playing with a real doll for me.  It was easy to nurture and care for her (amongst the parents divorce) and I did with her, what I've done with my own children; I used to crawl next to her crib to watch her sleep.  It was my way of protecting her and making sure that she was always there.  I even fell asleep on the floor next to the crib and I can recall one time she woke up and saw me and dropped her bottle on me. (ouch) THAT was who this young lady would become!  Monkey!!  Our brother Ronnie nicknamed her Smarty Marty (ironically the name he would give his son), but it was fitting for Mo. 

Parents divorced, we became separated for awhile, but eventually life brought us back together.  I would spend my high school years with Mo and mom and eventually that bond would become the 3 Caballeros' (as I called us).  But to this day, we still laugh at how we grew with one another.  My best friends can still recall our taking Mo with us in the car while trying to flirt with guys.  Mom let me drive, but I didn't want to leave Mo home alone, so I would make her HIDE in the back of the hatchback with a blanket over her (ha ha - mean witch wasn't I?).  And if there were the ugly guys or lowriders we would make her pop up, of course, scaring any potential guy away!

We had memories of our fights, my tormenting her, but we also have some great memories of the love that has bound us together through everything.  And with that, I can only be thankful and truly love and admire the woman my little Monkey has become.  Now she's the mom, family of her own and its still amazing to watch and listen to her.  She has a great strength, incredible beauty and I couldn't be any prouder to call her family. 

So, Monkey (Mo), here's to your birthday and to all the great things you have to come in your life with your own little girl - who also makes me smile and laugh as much as I did with you!!  I love you very much.