To Be the Oldest Sister/Daughter

(Belated) Happy Birthday, Emily 💝🙏🙏Because it's never really 'belated' to celebrate those we love! We finally had a chance to celebrate our oldest daughter's birthday, on Sat. evening two weeks after the official date! This poem was written for her and for my oldest sister who turned 60 a week ago!We who are blessed to have an older sister to follow can easily take a lot for granted!! We also had an opportunity to try out Jim's/Grandpa's birthday present from his grandchildren;an oldie game, croquet! lots of laughter from all (except the two year old who was soon comforted with a swing ride) To be the oldest sister bears a charge she does not chooseOf feet anointed with a fine pair of trailblazer-shoesThe familial ground-breaker, whereby younger sisters gaugeUnspoken preparation for wars time and nature wage The oldest sister shoulders an unalterable yokeWhile younger sisters walk on luxury of ground she brokeKeeping a wary watch for firsts that steadfastly commenceWhere time insists on countless reluctant relinquishments Mother's first little helper and daddy's second sweetheartFirst to test many waters that life is bound to impartFirst scholar, first teenager, first to leave the nest called 'home'First to face every new season of what is yet to come To be the oldest sister, is to first weather the tideThat wakens her to winds of change, with gaze, less starry-eyed Than once-upon-more-youthful-years, soon strewn upon a wake That each sister behind her, Lord-willing, is bound to take God bless you, Oldest Sister/daughter, may His hope keep joy unfazed And grant you faith and courage where new trails wait to be blazedEre younger sisters follow where once first your footsteps fell God bless and keep you as you step into a new year's swell © Janet Martin