wonder woman

like a beginner standing at the base of mount kilimanjaro, i folded pair after pair never imagining i could conquer the mountain of white cotton socks heaped on the ground in front of me. it was the light of the tv that guided me through my journey ensuring i would have some focus ahead. boring and monotonous but demanded by parents, i endured the task until a most wonderful diversion caught my eye.

two people walked through the door which was visible from my position next to the mound of clean laundry. the first one was easily recognizable by his walk. my brother led the couple but i couldn't make out who was behind him. as the figure became basked in the light of the flashing television screen, i could make out someone who instantly struck me as one of the most gorgeous girls my nine-year old eyes had ever seen.

she was a slender, tall brunette with cascading curls framing her flawless face. her eyes, at the time, showed to be full of life. later i would come to find out that they were the clearest of blue, the kind you could lost in. i took all this in in amazement as i tried to place the newcomer into my house.

my brother then introduced her as kathy, his new girlfriend. by the way he kept a protective stance next to her, i knew he really liked her. as soon as she uttered a "hello" to me i could tell that i would really like her. the next few words she spoke are a complete blur but the feeling is still clear - she was wonderful. ridiculously beautiful and a sense of genuine kindness, she empathized with my monstrous task and offered her help but i was too awstruck to take the support. instead i just shook my head and fell off the mountain into a deep sea of thought.

jump head 14 years. that girl, now my sister-in-law still proves to hold that same image. as beautiful as the first glimpse i had of her if not even more so. her kindness has not only been given to me but has been poured out to family and even friends of mine that have joined me in house to visit while in the city.

i've always looked to her as an example of what a 'wonder woman' should be. with her wrist cuffs of platinum she has shown me grace and beauty while standing up as an independent woman. she has become one of my closest confidants. i have been so blessed to have her in my life and on this day, her birthday, i wish she would be reminded of what an wonderful and beautiful person she is.

happy birthday, kath.