Sheri

The first I ever heard of the Benthall girls was years ago when I met two of them, twins, at a church ladies' retreat.  One of them taught us how to sing in Chinese.  I learned that I am off key in any language.  I vaguely remember it being mentioned that there was another sister.  Little did I know then how important that sister would become to the Switzer family.  Some time later, Marshall said he had met a girl, and she came to dinner one Sunday.  She was a lively one...still is.  It was not long before she became not only a Benthall girl, but a Switzer as well.  She has lots of nicknames ~ Sheharazzad, Shayree Bayree, Sha-ree, Aunt She She, Sher. 

Ken and I had the opportunity to really get to know her better when, before the wedding, the four of us took a trip to Gatlinburg to stay at a friend's home.  We knew she was going to fit in when she offered 100% cooperation in a silly plan Mr. Lincoln and I devised while we were there.  Our friends had lots of family pictures around their home, so we decided to replace them with similarly-posed pictures of us.  The one with Marshall sitting in my lap to replicate their grandson sitting in Judy's lap was the second best one.  The one of Mr. Lincoln in the hot tub replicating one of the grandchildren in the tub was the best.  Our friends got a huge kick out of it.  They would expect nothing less from us, and Sheri just fell right in line with our idiocy.  I really like that about her.  She further followed the family idiocy when she ran 30 miles on her 30th birthday.  What's up with these people?

We can always count on Sheri to be at family events, often without Marshall.  In fact, I remember several occasions where MP was working and Marshall just wasn't "feeling it" that Sheri and Josh would attend birthday celebrations or other events.  Life is so interesting.  Sheri and Josh knew each other long before any of us knew either of them.  They can often be seen heads together laughing or discussing more serious topics whenever we are together.

Sheri has a great laugh.  It is not a delicate giggle, but rather a bold guffaw often followed by a snort.  Funny, before I knew and loved her, I never enjoyed a snorting laugh, but now we know a joke or comment is truly successful when the Sheri snort appears.  We try to discourage her at times when she snorts at Mr. Lincoln.  It just encourages him.  She is the one who began to call Mr. Lincoln The Fizzler.  Every time she would call him that, he would correct her and say, "it's The Sizzler," but she just never caught on to that.  For this reason, I would not be surprised if the grandchildren call him Fizzler, or GrandFizzler, or Fizzy or some other unique moniker. 

Sheri introduced me to the World's Longest Yard Sale, and we have had great fun laughing, with an occasional snort, at ugly lamps or signs that advertise "Beer and Baby Clothes."  She is an accountant, and while I am sure she is excellent at the technical parts of her job, I imagine her greatest gift to those with whom she works is her laughter and self-deprecating humor.  She will keep a place lively, no doubt.

She may not have won the prize for best costume at work this past Halloween, but she and her cohort, Ashley, were by far the cutest ones there, and did they ever gather their costume together with great enthusiasm.  Nothing would do but the properly colored tights, candy corn earrings, and matching purse.

Sheri is the Aunt to three nephews and a niece.  She is a very good aunt who loves to play and be silly and have fun.  She also expects everyone to conduct themselves well in order to be safe and well-behaved.  John, Abe, Arlie, and Simeon are very lucky to have her.

Like all of us, Sheri is not perfect.  I truly believe one of her biggest failings is not being able to recognize her own potential and worth.  She often does not trust herself or her decision-making skills.  She sometimes "borrows trouble," and finds herself fretting over something years down the road.  I think I have come to understand, however, that is just her way of processing things, and while it might make someone else nuts, it helps her find a calmness. 

She loves having lunch at Marche, she likes a great cup of coffee, she loves her cats she likes the Sanibel Bean, she likes shelling.  She has a tender heart toward the small and weak.  She can get really riled up over politics. She is very forgiving.  She is fast to laugh.  Her feelings are written all over her face even when her words might try to disguise what is going on.  She is a paradox in that she can be both very spotaneous and very intentional.  She is an exceptional gift-giver.   No matter how much or how little she spends, her gifts show a sensitivity to the recipient"s preferences, and a thoughtfulness that is greatly appreciated.  She does not speak ill of her husband to others, and let's face it, everyone at times has a complaint or two about their spouse, but the wise ones do not share it with every Tom, Dick and Harry.  She can grow quite passionate over certain issues, and one may feel as though she is yelling when she expresses her opinion. She can be a little earthy at times.  On occasion she has a 14 year old boy's sense of humor.  That is just part of who she is.  She longs to be the best person she can be.  She longs to be the best mother possible to the little guy, who, Lord willing, will arrive sometime in late May. 

   

I feel very fortunate that she has allowed me a place in her life.  She confides, seeks advice, seems to enjoy the time we spend together, and for that I am most grateful.  I have observed mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationships, and I have seen good and bad, healthy and unhealthy.  Sheri has a mother and father whom she loves dearly, but she does not let her relationship with them prevent one with Mr. Lincoln and me.  That shows great maturity and kindness. 

So, happy birthday, Sheri.  I hope this year brings you great joy, contentment, peace and love.  I love you.

For today, I wish you all people who make a difference in your life, and I wish you

blessings