Donna, my sister that is closest in age, adopted into this family a few years before me, yet somehow we were treated as a second set of twins.  We were a team, a pair, two peas in a pod, yet different in so many ways.

Donna is inquisitive, extremely curious, energetic, so creative and incredibly talented.  Like many, she has persevered some of life storms but with dedication to family, working hard and making sacrifices along the way all while putting Martha Stewart to shame!

Donna is the most inquisitive person I know.  She will ask as many questions needed until she knows the who, what, where, when and how of any situation.  She loves to figure out how things work or how to create something whether a craft or one of her incredible dishes.  Therein lies one of the biggest differences between us.  At family gatherings she is asked to bring a decadent dessert, while I’m still the buns or chips gal.

While growing up, Donna was most often learning mom’s craft of making preserves, sewing, or cooking up meals in the kitchen that she had learned at 4H.  I on the other hand was too busy playing outside on dirt bikes and getting into trouble.

The one thing that I can say about Donna is that you can never underestimate her determination, her loyalty, and her capabilities.  She has now discovered a Circut and I think she could make a living off her creations! She now comes to my house on the first Sunday in December to help me create my Pinterest worthy Christmas tree.

Donna is the only sibling that I have ever fought with, and there were some doozies!  I know for a fact that this has made us closer.  We were a team no matter what.  All I can say is that my life would have been so very different without her.  Although I talk a lot about the happiness and love we both received, there is a darker side to being adopted.  There are times of feeling like you don’t belong, like you don’t look like anyone in the family, that you did belong somewhere else at one time.  Having a sister that was exactly like me in this way gave me comfort that I am only realizing while writing these family blogs.

Donna is now living her best life!  She’s a grandmother to young Cayden and is the proud mama to her 6 chickens that she can name off in a jiff (oh my, a mom saying for sure!).  She is now married to a wonderful addition to our family, Harry. He makes her so happy and has opened her world to travelling to the sandy beaches of Cuba or can been seen around town in their convertible or proudly perched on the back of his motorcycle.

She is my sister soul mate and cherish our sisterhood and friendship now more than ever!  Even though she beat us all to TikTok!