Sisters Forever: a Christmas story

Sunset on Sanibel Island. Shells that Beth describes as "ridiculous," meaning there are so many for the taking -- all beautiful and intricate, strewn along a white, sandy beach. A sunset boat cruise in the "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, where we will go to Rookery Island to see all kinds of amazing birds, coming in to nest for the night. A room for two at  Sanibel Sunset Beach Resort, with a picnic in our room and lots of creature comforts that neither Loie nor I are used to. This is our Sisters Forever Christmas present to each other. 

And we deserve it, really. I mean, how often do we actually see each other? We e-mail daily, and she has rope burns from holding the rope for me, her heavy sister. The last time I checked, neither of us is getting any younger, so some things just shouldn't be put off. This trip is one of them. 

In just five days, I'll hop a plane to Sarasota, and Loie will meet me there. The next day, we'll stroll like the old ladies we are down to Sanibel and Captiva Islands and take our good ole' time about getting there, leaving behind the Interstate and taking the slow lane. It's been so many years since I visited my sister that I can't remember just when it was. But it was December, before Momma and Daddy were gone. Loie was still tethered to the Pelican Post at the time, but now we're free to go into the wild blue yonder. And it looks something like this. 

Merry Christmas to Loisandnancy Simpkins. I can't wait!