Sporting the centennial plaid at the centennial fountain in the centennial year

I am grateful for sisters, and one in particular, Mary.

My sister taught me resilience, love and compassion. John and I often picked on our little sister, most famously the time her teddy bear "accidentally" fell out the car window never to be seen again. Big brothers are protective of little sisters but can be unkind. I'm not sure if she'll ever forgive us for the demise of Teddy but we are sorry.

What she lacked in size and strength compared to her older brothers, she made up for with speed and smarts. She became the best athlete of all of us excelling in many sports and being the top female athlete in our high school.

Mary is one of several strong women in my life who have showed me that gender is irrelevant in most things. She has excelled as a parent, daughter, athlete, professional and most definitely as a sister.

Do you have an influential sister?