Studette of the Month - July 2008

My studette of the month is my little sister, Ginette. It is true, the old story that I gave up my blanket to my little brother because my mother told me that if I did, that I might be blessed with a little sister. And indeed I was. In fact, he gave me two of them. (Which I was always glad about because it put the girls in majority over the boys in the family.)

My earliest recollections of my little sister was her endless crying. She was a colicky baby and there were moments when I wondered why anyone would want a baby. But she grew up. Then she became the little sister who was uber-sensitive and followed me around everywhere. Then, round about my college days, we became genuine friends.

I think the thing that amazes me about Ginette is how different, and yet alike we are. We talk on the phone all the time, but I see her about once a year at Christmas. Every time I do, I am shocked at how similarly we see things. There aren’t very many people in life with whom I can share my deepest thoughts and feelings, but with my family, conversation always starts there. They understand my impressions, wonderment, and life experiences.

Another thing that has always amazed me about Ginette is her determination. She does nothing without giving it 100%. One time while she was in college I went to visit her. By her mirror she had posted several goals. They weren’t easy goals either. But I know her, and when she said she had worked hard that semester, and that she couldn’t have put one more ounce of work into it – I knew that, in fact, she had given it her very best. I’ve really never met anyone who slacks less than she does when she is set on something.

But most of all, I love her spiritual development. She has always been determined to do what is right and the Spirit accompanies her strongly. It was partly her example, as she read her scriptures diligently while she was in high school that led me to have a desire to set that habit myself. Ginette does not break rules. She is a very obedient spirit. She does what is right, very rarely have I ever seen an exception.

She is to me, the ultimate example of integrity. I’ve never seen anyone prize it as much as she does. This has been an elimination point for numerous guys who have tried to date her. Normally I would try to talk her into giving them another try. But when it comes to integrity, I know Ginette; her soul would never love a man who does not strive to be honorable in all that he does.

I think one of the beauties of having relationships with people who live close to the spirit is that they are based on an ever developing charity. Part of that charity, I have learned from her, is about having charity towards oneself. I positively love her sense of self-respect and her way of teaching these same principles to me. As I listen to her weigh through her life choices, there is always an underlying sense of responsibility to herself. As a sister I have always appreciated this quality because it makes my life much easier not to have to watch her suffer needlessly through things. I have come to appreciate her wisdom in this and learned, from her, to apply it to myself. After all, I have realized that I don't want her to have to watch me suffer because I overlooked my responsibility to myself.

Lastly, there is light and strength that emanates from Ginette. You feel it when you are with her. She strives, and it makes something in you want to strive. She loves the light and she has always had the backbone and enough confidence to hold to it. I think at the end of the day, the fruit of the gospel is this, a deep love and respect for people around you. It comes from deep within and pushes you to be better.

At any rate, in a moment of Ginette appreciation this morning, I decided to make her, my studette of the month.