I've got a big sister named Kari. She comes by here sometimes. She's a great person. A fabulous, hilarious, makes-you-laugh-pop-out-your-nose-sometimes-cause-she's-so-funny type. A little spoiled brat like myself didn't realize it for a long time, but I've got a kick-ass sister. Maybe it's better this way: childhood we spent fighting, but we're spending adulthood as friends.
I suppose at some point in my teens (once she was out of the house), we started telling one another more about ourselves. And then a bit more. And then some more. And even though time and space has seperated us more today than it did in the past, I think we're closer today than ever before.
The cool thing about getting to know my sister more and more is being able to see somebody who has always been in my life in a new light. Like, for example, how sometime in the past four or five years I came to realize just how incredibly determined and motivated she is. Or, in many ways, how I have come to appreciate her intelligence in new, goofy ways (she's always been a smartypants, but I think her wit has grown on me). And maybe above all, I've seen how giving and caring of a big sister - and person - she really is. To everybody. To like, the whole friggin' world.
And I could go on and on about some of the wonderful things she has done for others, or of the particularly hilarious jokes she has made, or of how she has picked herself up by her bootstraps more times than I can imagine, but instead I'll give you the proof of all of those things wrapped up in one recently made decision: Kari's going to to do the Cowalunga bike tour for a second year.
What's Cowalunga, you might ask? Well, it's a 190-mile bike ride (in three days) through Illinois and Wisconsin. Bikers fundraise and their efforts go towards the American Lung Association. Get it? COW (because they're in cowville) ALUNGA (for the American Lung Association). Cute.
It's a great cause on a global level and an inspirational one on a personal level. Kari's trying to raise money as part of the deal, and she's super-excited to hit the road (again). You see, Cowalunga is representative of Kari in all her greatness:
determination - damn, did you just say 190 miles? In three days? Is that what you said?
intelligence/goofiness - well, the damn thing is called Cowalunga, for crying out loud.
caring/giving - all that biking FOR CHARITY, folks. Charity.
So if you can spare the cash, just a teeny-weeny bit, you would be making a wonderful person very happy, and her little sister happy vicariously. Vi-kari-ously. And you would be helping out the ALA and a lot of people dependent on the ALA's hard work. You can find Kari's donation page here.
Remember : I am a firm believer in karma. That's not a threat. But it is a warning.
cowalunga ... reminds me of ragbrai (the Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa ... the Des Moines Register is widely distributed through the state). ragbrai, however, is not for charity, as far as i know. they just ride bikes across iowa. but hey, i don't know much about it.
cheers to your sister. if i had cash, i would totally donate.
Ohhh, I SO want to do Ragbrai some day. I hear it's just a week long raucous party across Iowa. Plus the benefit of NO HILLS... hee.
Thanks for the plug, lee-a-licious! I linked in my diaryland diary--I finally have a site to put in the little "site or email?" line!--the site is nowhere NEAR as cool as yours, or as multi-functional, nor the writing as good, but now that I've gotten THAT out of the way, you should stop by and read it! Since I'm training for the bike ride, I'm keeping track of my progress and my days and whatever else goes through my head.
And Lee? For an ex-spoiled-brat, you're one superlicious sister yerself...
xoxo
PS: vi-kari-ously. SO what I should have named my diary. hehehehe.
I'm a disabled grandma in northern Wisconsin who founded a nonprofit charity which benefits critically ill children. We're sponsoring a raffle throughout July and August to help two kids in particular. The winners will be drawn at a Harley Celebration and Fall Ride in September. I'm wondering if you might be willing to post something on your site about our raffle, our organization, and our mission and goals.
To learn more, please visit our web site at http://www.hugsandhope.com/fallraffle.htm
Thanks for considering how your group can help us to put smiles on the faces of children battling life-threatening diseases!
Marsha Jordan, founder
HUGS and HOPE for Sick Kids
www.hugsandhope.com
We're making a difference -- one smile at a time!
Won't you join our effort?