Seesters!

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Christy Suzanne White, My Sister. As you grow up, your parents and siblings usually impact you the most because they are the closest to you in so many ways. Since I can remember, Christy has been an inspiration to me. When I was little, I emulated her as a toddler- all the way up through high school, to the point where I did most of the same things she did. As a young girl, I idolized my sister - and wanted so much to be like her. Christy was good at sports. Put it this way, Christy got all of the physical genes in our family. She was a natural athlete. I however, had a super hard time with anything that required hand/eye coordination, or physicality of any kind. She was awesome at Volley Ball, Golf, Swimming, Track, Cheerleading, you name it. Most of those things I tried out for, but got cut. I just didn't have those genes. Christy was also an incredible leader. She was class president, led student government, organized most events in high school. I wanted to be just like her. I tried my hardest, but I just couldn't quite make the mark. I was a cheerleader - but held up all the mounts - being the amazon woman I am. Christy was both a base and a butterfly - she had it all! I got cut from volleyball - 3 years in a row. But *I never quit trying out* so I guess you can say I had staying power (or I was a glutton for punishment). My point here is that she was a complete role model for me by which to emulate. By the time we hit our teens, I was semi annoying because I was like her mini me. It was about this time that I realized music and art were really my bailiwick, not sports. So, Mom encouraged me in these areas. Christy and I grew apart in our junior and senior years of HS, but I always held her in high esteem and followed her lead. She was head lifeguard; 3 years later, I was head lifeguard. She was an incredible act to follow, but a great teacher and mentor. By the time we were in college, we had finally started becoming who we are today - meaning, we are very very different. Different is not bad, in fact, it has really been a great way to grow and learn to love and accept one another's differences. I did follow her to South Carolina for college which turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. She was a hall advisor (again with the strong leadership), I was a singer in the show choir, hung out with deadheads, was an art major and got a reputation as a partier (not that going to Group Therapy every night meant I was always partying LOL). I still carried a 3.7 GPA through college! She and I may have butted heads a lot during this time in our lives, but we are much better for it now. We understand each other very well and know how to handle our differences elegantly. After college, I followed Christy to Atlanta where the climbed the corporate ladder at the AJC and Cox, later riding the dot com wave, and eventually moving to California becoming a VP at Prudential. I was incredibly proud of her and how far she had come in her life. I was also incredibly SAD to see her move so far away, but I knew it was what she wanted, and to this day I know how much she loves it out there. This meant she wasn't only 3 miles from me like in the ATL so I could drive over when either one of us was having a crisis and needed each other. It just means we have to do things differently. We talk on the phone more and thank God for Social Media and texting - we now can share in the moment where we are, pictures and the love that surrounds us in or different and separate lives. The period of time in her life when she was devoted to mission work specifically in China, but really all over the world - she inspired me with her love for all people, all races, all creeds, all lifestyles. She has been there for friends dying of Aids, cared for elderly friends, dropped everything in her life to come back and help care for my Dad through his last hip surgery. I've never met anyone with a bigger heart than my sister. It is something I try to emulate daily - and if I fall short, tomorrow is another day for me to try again. Christy is still an incredibly hard worker so much so, we nicknamed her the energizer bunny. She is an Incredibly dedicated and dependable girlfriend, friend, devoted to God and church. Christy spreads postitivity and LOVE no matter where she is and who she is with. There are many more lessons learned from my sister to come. I LOVE YOU SIS and I wouldn't be who I am today without all the mentoring and coaching you have given me.

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