Yesterday was the birthday of one of the greatest Americans in history…yes, this day 29 years ago, Mary Amanda Clark – now Marble - was born to John and Melinda Clark in Amory, MS. 
I'm sorry I'm a day late posting, Amanda - AKA PunkySueRella - one of the many strange nicknames growing on our family tree. I hope your day was fabulous! I wish I had been there to celebrate with you, but here is to hoping that God will put us in the same city one of these days. I hope you know how much I miss you.
If you don't know my sister, then you are missing out - BIG TIME! She is one of the kindest people I know. I never heard her say a mean thing about anyone growing up. She was such a good example, and the best playmate I could have asked for. That brings a story to mind. When I was little...I used to get "tired" of my friends. They didn't let me have my way like my big sister did, so sometimes I was ready for them to leave on Friday night...not good for spend-the-night company! So, my wonderful sister would play with them all night and all the next day while I did my thing. Yeah, I was a little spoiled. She has always been my biggest fan. It all started when they brought me home from the hospital. Mom and Dad said Amanda wouldn't even eat supper; she just wanted to look at me. She gave me an unrealistic perspective from the get-go. I came to expect adoration and rarely receive it. She did a great job paving the way for me all through school. I had it made in the shade because I was "Amanda's little sister," and it just didn't get better than that. All her teachers just loved her because she was very smart and never said a word. That brings to mind another story. When I was in 1st grade and Amanda was in the 6th grade we had a bully problem. One of us was being bullied on the bus, and you guessed it...it wasn't me! I had to tell this seventh grader to leave my sister alone! Sorry for the embarrasment, Manny, but I guess it worked. Neither of us was beaten up I am happy to report.
I really can't think of many people that I love and respect more than you. You are always there to listen and to encourage me. I absolutely CHEERISH our friendship. I'm glad mom never let us fight. Not that we really would have except when you always made me late for school with your 3 hour getting ready ritual. I've never seen someone with so little body mass take so long to shower, but old Rob cured you of that...now didn't he. You kinda sped up your game when you became a Marble. I think I am most thankful for the example you have set for me as a mother. You are FANTASTIC at what you do. Mary Peyton is the most wonderful thing ever, and so much of that has to do with her amazing mommy! I think I am just going to send my kids to you, and you can return them when they are 10!
Thank you for being my bestest friend. You are such an amazing person, and I owe so much of who I am to you and your example. I love you so, so much, and I am so blessed to have been given you as a big sister....well, little-big sister. I only wish I had a copy of your 9th grade band picture to post...until next year America. I hope your 29th year is the best yet!
Bye the way....that is my beautiful and wonderful grandmother, Mamer, in the picture with Amanda and Mary Peyton and the cake. She celebrated her 81st birthday on the 26th. I'm pretty sure she doesn't even know I have a blog, so I don't think she will mind my posting her age. Let's just say she's not exactly computer savy, but she is AMAZING. I believe that is where Amanda gets several of her wonderful qualities. I was named after Mamer, Vera Laurette Walters, but I think Amanda got most of her pleasant traits. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that I inherited Mert's demeanor. Sorry, Travis. Mamer, is one of the most joyful people I have ever known, and I think she knows the first and second pronunciation of every word in the dictionary. She also laughs out loud at the funny papers everyday. I just LOVE her...can you tell?
this is Mamer, Mert and Mary Peyton...just for clarification. Aren't they precious?
