Happy Birthday Marianne!

My mother, Carolyn Brugger, with my sister, Marianne and my brother Bob.  This was taken the day my brother was given his name and a blessing in our Church.  Behind my mother was one of 2 air conditioners we had in the house.  There was one in the living room and one in my parents room upstairs.  They did a pretty good job of cooling most all of the house as I recall.  I was comfortable but then when this picture was taken I was 5 years old!

Left to right, my sister's husband - Frank Dittmar, my sister Marianne Dittmar, my step-mother Doreen Brugger, my father Archie Brugger, me and Clyde.  This picture was taken on the 4th of July this last summer at Marianne's house.


Today is my sister Marianne Brugger Dittmar's birthday.  Marianne has been my best friend my whole life.  We have had each other when we moved all those time growing up and we always knew we could rely on each other.  Our daughter's are really extensions of our own family's.  We love each other's daughters as our own.  We have been taken for twins most of our life.  In fact just a few years ago, someone thought I had moved back to Utah!  I am not as kind as my sister or as quiet.  She is much more Christlike and has always been one of my heroes.  I have spent most of my life in her shadow because she is light years ahead of me spiritually and in so many other ways.  I am so grateful she is my sister.  She has kept me balanced and anchored when I have needed her.  The Lord truly blessed our house when Marianne was born.  I love you, Marianne.