Just The Way You Are

 When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change

Cause you're amazing, just the way you are.

And when you smile, the whole world stops awhile

Because you're amazing just the way you are.

These are lyrics from Bruno Mars' Song, Just the Way You Are, because it reminds me of my sister, Kathryn Bernice Riddle Lamb (Kathy).  You see, Kathy is battling cancer and no matter what this devastating disease has done to her, she is truly amazing just the way she is, and is truly the same beautiful girl who has raised and loved all kinds of animals, especially horses.  The picture to the left is with son, Randal Lamb, and one of her horses they once had on their farm in Kansas.  Randal is grown up now and  married with five children.



Eddie in dress with doll!

Kathy, was born on November 7, 1945, to Elmo John Riddle and Mildred Bernice McKinney Riddle, and although we do not share the same mother and are half-sisters, she is my only sister.   Kathy always wanted a big sister and a little sister because after her came three boys--Eddie, Gary and Ricky.  A little girl, Brenda Gail, was born on January 19, 1960, when they lived in Great Bend, Kansas, but the baby died at birth.  Unfortunately, Kathy didn't have me around as her big sister, since I lived with my paternal grandparents in Oklahoma.  Kathy longed for a little sister, so she would put dresses and wigs on our two brothers, Eddie and Gary, and Mom took pictures of them.  Ricky was born in 1955, so he probably escaped some of the fun, but knowing her, she probably dressed him in cute dresses when he was an infant!. 


Eddie in dress & wig.



I think that it must be a "big sister" tradition of dressing your little brother as a girl, because our own daughter, Tiffany, used to dress little brother, Mark, in a pink slip and roll his hair in pink sponge rollers.  I am not sure that Eddie and Gary enjoyed wearing those dresses too much, but Eddie recently told me they didn't have a choice in the matter!  Eddie doesn't appear to be too thrilled about it in this picture!




Gary in dress.

Kathy grew up to be a beautiful girl and married Ronnie Lamb on February 10, 1963.  Their son, Randal, was born on February 22, 1964. They have two beautiful granddaughters, Tatiana and Trinity, and three handsome grandsons, Tayor, Tristan & Turner--Randy and Julie's children.  They live in Kansas too.

I love you, Sis, and you will beat this cancer with God's help! I know you are struggling every day and I pray for God to wrap his arms around you to give you back your strength and help you get through this, because you are amazing!
With Love from your Big Sis