Sisters...Rain rain go away!

One thing you can't control is the weather. We all know this. It's inevitable that when you plan something that depends on good weather, it rains or storms or is too hot or too cold. That is exactly what happened for half of Dana's visit to Rio--home to one of the most famous beaches (Copacabana) in the world. When people come to Rio, they anticipate endless days of sunshine, walking the beaches amidst people skantily clothed in efforts of keeping cool. However, it has been raining in Rio since Feb 3rd. Almost nonstop.

A little rain, however, does not interfere with the fun Sisters can have when together. Because no matter the weather, the location, the event, Sisters know how to enjoy being together. We manage to fight our way through a crowded blocos during Carnaval in Rio, in the rain, dripping with sweat. We manage to go to watch the SuperBowl on one television, in an overcrowded bar in Rio, hearing more English than imagined possible. We manage to spend an entire day playing cards and drinking beer on the veranda in Rio. We manage to drive to one of the most beautiful beaches--Grumari--on a cloudy, overcast day in Rio. We stay out the rain in anticipation for 4 days on an island, cruising through the waters in a private boat, eating fresh seafood.

Because Sisters don't need sunshine in the sky, we have sunshine between us and within us and through us. And it is that sunshine that eventually comes through in laughter and smiles and the creating of happy memories. Sometimes you just have to create the sunshine!

OR...We find any sunshine we can! Dana and Sierra emit sunshine where ever they go! They even brought out this sunshine the overcast day on Grumari.

And when the rain in the city doesn't stop, Sisters drive...far enough away...chasing the sunshine on the horizon...to a beautiful beach...ready for adventures.

To an empty beach just waiting for us to pull up and drop anchor.

To the beach waiting for us to swim ashore, search for shells, shuffle our feet through the sand, bask in the sunshine, burn to a crisp, work up an appetite...search for somewhere to have lunch...And Sisters continue to shine as they are guided to the most adorable beachside restaurant. With a pool for the kids to play in while the adults experiment with exotic drinks and equisite seafood dishes...Sisters laugh in the evenings, when crab hunting is a fun way to pass the time and an exciting way to build courage.Sisters laugh, no matter the situation. Even when we get stalled in the middle of the boat passage, in shark infested waters, Sisters still laugh...Sisters jump in the water and try to paddle the boat to the marina with their own feet in order to refuel and continue their adventures...because Sisters know how to find the sunshine!Sisters find the beauty in the simple things. The simple places that most people pass by without a second glance.The comfort things that only Sisters appreciate in the same way.

The only bad thing about Sisters is having to say goodbye because they live their days thousands of miles apart.
The only way to say it is using an expression in Portuguese: Eu tenho muito saudades pra ela!! And my Sister has only been gone 2 hours.