Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NRSV)

A sister is someone more special than words.
She's love mixed with friendship; the best things in life.
She's so much inner beauty
blended together with an outward appearance
that brings a smile to the happiness in your heart...

A sister is one of the most precious people
in the story of your life.
And you'll always be together,
whether you’re near or apart.

Together, you have shared some of the most special moments
two people have ever shared.
A sister is a perspective on the past,
and she's a million favorite memories that will always last.
A sister is a photograph that is one of your most treasured possessions.
She's a note that arrives on a special day,
and when there's news to share,
she's the first one you want to call.
A sister is a reminder of the blessings that come from closeness.
Sharing secrets. Disclosing dreams. Learning about life together.

A sister is a confidante and a counselor. She's a dear and wonderful friend,
and -- in certain ways -- something like a twin.
She's a hand within your hand;
she's so often the only one who really understands.
A sister is honesty and trust enfolded with love.
She's sometimes the only person who sees the horizon from your point of view,
and she helps you to see things more clearly.
She is a helper and a guide, and she is a feeling, deep inside,
that makes you wonder what you would ever do without her.

What is a sister? She's someone more special than words;
someone beautiful and unique.
And in so many ways, there is no one who is loved so dearly.

-Poem by Douglas Pagels




Diana Lynn Dobbins Reed

Diana, her first name, means warmth and love to me,
Delightful, sincere and as sweet as she can be.

I talk about my sister, my friend and my pal,
I love this wonderful woman, this magnificent gal.

Another day, another time, I'm remembering all this,
And how she helped me to grow when life seemed amiss.

Never grudgingly nor despairingly, she helped me through the days
Never complaining, only graciously, I love her caring ways.

Always helping and caring and sharing were we,
And she was everything I always wanted to be.

Lynn is her middle name, precious as myrrh,
Lovely in its meaning, for it is truly her.

Yes, I love this sister that God sent to us,
You always knew what to expect, someone you could trust.

Now and then as I recall how mom and dad just beamed,
Naturally and gracefully, Diana stole the scene.

Ninety-seven angels declared it from above,
No one can replace her, this sister we love.

Reed is now her last name, Dobbins no more,
Rare and wonderful is Curt, he loves her to the core.

Ever smiling and funny says Myrna and Linette,
Even including Bing, Lennie, Judy and Donnie I bet.

Everything around me reminds me of you,
Every tree, every flower and every birdie too.

Diana, oh Diana, God gave your voice to us,
Dear sister, dear friend, I love you very much!

By: Shari Kathleen Dobbins MacGregor
September30, 1996




One is here, one lives there.
One is a little taller than the other.
Two different colors of hair, two different outlooks on life,
two very different views from their windows.
Both have different tomorrows ahead. Each is unique in so many ways.
Each has her own story, with all the busy things going on in the present.
Each has different work to do, and different demands on the day.
Each had separate destinations and a distinctly different path to get there. But...

For all the things that might be different and unique about them...
these two sisters will always share so much.
They will always be the best of family and friends,
entwined together, through all the days of their lives.
Their love will always be very special: gentle and joyful when it can be,
strong and giving when it needs to be,
reminding them, no matter how different their stories turn out...

They share the incredibly precious gift of being "sisters."
And when you think of some of the best things this world has to offer,
a blessing like that is really... what it’s all about.

-Poem by Laurel Atherton

~~ Thinking of You ~~
Thinking of you today
With love in every thought,
Thinking of all the joy you've shared,
The happiness you've brought,
Thinking of just how nice it is
Today and every day
To have someone as dear as you
To think about this way.



Thinking of you, Diana!

Remember when life was easier?
Remember when we had no cares?
Remember when we went to Hooks?
Remember that we always shared?
Remember when we talked of boys?
Remember when we grew up?
Remember when we shed our toys?
My sister dear, you've filled my cup!

And it overflows with wonderful memories! Thank you, Diana!





Five minutes, just before going to sleep, given to a bit of directed imagination regarding achievement possibilities of the morrow, will steadily and increasingly bear fruit, particularly if all ideas of difficulty, worry, or fear are resolutely ruled out and replaced by those of accomplishment, and smiling courage.

 ~ Frederick Pierce ~



You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.'"

~ Eleanor Roosevelt ~




The beautiful and handsome Diana & Curt!

A Prayer

When I am dying, let me know
That I loved the blowing snow
Although it stung like whips;
That I loved all lovely things
And I tried to take their stings
With gay unembittered lips;
That I loved with all my strength,
To my soul's full depth and length,
Careless if my heart must break,
That I sang as children sing
Fitting tunes to everything,
Loving life for its own sake.

Author: Sara Teasdale




Diana and I are so close, always have been,

even though we have always been miles apart.

We are nineteen months apart, her being the older one,

but we may as well have been twins.

We often think alike, act alike and we find ourselves

thinking the same thing at the same time. Sometimes it is uncanny.

On the whole, Diana has more patience than I,

and she has a wonderful sense of humor.

She is somewhat of a perfectionist and she never leaves a job unfinished.

She is very much admired by all who meet and know her.

She is going through a terrible time right now with that dreadful disease,

Lupus, but she has so much faith and courage that it astounds me!

Yes, she is quite a lady, and through it all, through thick and thin,

we wouldn't want to trade our lives for anything.

We are very much blessed in that we have each other.

She is also blessed to have a wonderful supportive family

in her husband Curt, daughters Kelly, Shana and Stacy, and son, Lenny.

I am just so glad she is my sister and I hope and pray

that we will have many more years together!!

Sisters

My feelings for you wander back through sunny days when it felt like we used to have the whole world to ourselves. We shared so much, and we cared more than our hearts could begin to realize. At the time, there was so much joy I took for granted and so many things I didn't even stop to think of. But I began to learn how important you were to my happiness, and that is what sisters are all about... love.

As we grew, and time passed by, we had to begin to choose the paths our lives would take. It wasn't easy to know which way to go and what things to do, but I was reassured because of the treasure I held in my heart: By being my sister, you gave me the quiet comfort of knowing I could always turn to you. That's what sisters are all about... sweetness and support to see you through.

All through our years, you have been a source of so many smiles and so much inspiration for me. There has never been a time when the miles that came between us have not been bridged by the closeness of our hearts. I want to thank you for giving me the special kind of feelings that only sisters like you and I could comprehend. That's what sisters are all about... being the very best of friends.

Marin McKay



"Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it." ... Bill Cosby



Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. ... Chief Seattle



This wonderful sister of mine is so very talented. What a voice! She can really sing.    I love hearing her sing as does the rest of the family. She is multi talented actually.

At the age of 14, Diana was given about 6 weeks of piano lessons, but in a few years she could change sharps to flats, and play anything you set in front of her. If she didn't have the sheet music, she played it anyway, because she had such a good ear for music. Ask her to play anything, and she could.

I envied that so much, but I, too, have a good ear for music, I can sing well, and I can play the piano a little. But you know, I owe it all to my sister, Diana.

She taught me so much, never gave up on me when I felt like quitting, and taught me that all things are worth striving for.

No, I don't know what I would do without this wonderful sister and friend that I have. I don't even want to think about it. For today I will cherish her and honor her, not just because she is my sister and a good friend, but because she is a warm, wonderful person whom I just happen to know and love with all my heart!!
Yes, she is very talented. She can also sew, and cook, and arrange flowers, and write poetry, and write songs, and decorate, and.....well you name it, and Diana can do it. Yes she can! That's my sister!!!

IF I COULD CATCH A RAINBOW .....
I WOULD DO IT JUST FOR YOU
AND SHARE WITH YOU ITS BEAUTY
ON THE DAYS YOU'RE FEELING BLUE..

IF I COULD BUILD A MOUNTAIN
YOU COULD CALL YOUR VERY OWN
A PLACE TO FIND SERENITY
A PLACE TO BE ALONE

IF I COULD TAKE YOUR TROUBLES
I WOULD TOSS THEM IN THE SEA
BUT ALL THESE THINGS I'M FINDING
ARE IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME,

I CANNOT BUILD A MOUNTAIN
OR CATCH A RAINBOW FAIR
BUT LET ME BE WHAT I KNOW BEST
A FRIEND THAT'S ALWAYS THERE



~~ Missing You ~~

Whenever I miss you,
It always brings to mind
The thoughts and hopes we shared
And our many happy times.
And the quiet moments, too,
I think of all the things
So unique to me and you.
And though the many miles
Make it seem we're far apart
Warm memories like these
Keep you ever in my heart.



Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thought nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keeping what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away.

© Dinah Maria Mulock Craik



She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes an starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

By Lord Byron

My sweet sister, Diana I prayed for you today.

I haven't heard an answer, don't know what He had to say.

 I asked to take your suffering, and I asked to take your pain.

 I prayed and prayed and blessed you,

I hope it wasn't in vain.

My sister, are you better?

Do you feel somewhat relieved?

Did my thoughts and prayers reach you?

Is it just as I perceived?

I do not know the answer,

To the prayers to God above,

For the prayers that God respond to