Sometimes, my sister and I will call the other out of the blue and sing lines from Miss Celie’s Blues in a soulful voice.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsvK8WCPj1Y]

Although my sister and I are very close, we don’t talk as often as we would like.Life just seems to get in the way, but a much needed Girls Night Out quickly becomes our quality time together. After hearing my about my pathetic birthday story, she offered to buy me dinner Wednesday night at any restaurant of my choice.Having never dined at The Capital Grille, I chose it for our destination.

The food was fabulous, but the company was even better!We spent the evening sipping wine and swapping stories to bring each other up to speed with all the latest news. With a wedding planned for March 2009, Simone shared loads of wedding details and I ate it all up like a side dish paired with my Kona Crusted Sirloin.

Simone and I pose for a photo op at The Capital Grille

“My Sister, My Sister, tell me what the trouble is. I’ll try to listen good and give the best advice that I can give.” (Monie Love, It’s a Shame 1990) I adore my sister. Like any best friend, she will drive to the end of the earth to shower you with her love and support. When she enters a room, her beauty and confidence radiates and all of her admirers happily bask in her glow. Simone has always been beautiful, but over the years, she has evolved into a remarkable woman. Above all, she loves my children and I feel truly blessed to have a sister like Simone.

We share jokes which span decades and only we understand. Allan calls it “The Simone and Denise show” and advises everyone to simply sit back and enjoy ride.  Growing up, Simone and I would try to make our mom laugh. If we could make Mom giggle, then we knew it was funny. I see the same relationship developing in my daughters and it pleases me to know that my daughters will share the same sisterly bond as me and my sister.

Oh Sister, have I got news for you
I’m somethin’
I hope you think
you’re somethin’ too.
(The Color Purple, Miss Celie’s Blues, 1985)

It's always the same Hollywood pose for Simone and me.