I am the oldest of three children. I have a brother Tim who is three years younger than myself. And my sister Julie, is eight years behind me. We are bonded by blood and childhood memories, but as adults we are quite different individuals, living from coast to coast in the United States. Tim is a zoo veterinarian in Seattle, Washington. This does not surprise me. When we lived at our Thornton, Illinois, home, Tim's room was filled with animals, from wallpaper to stuffed animals. I remember one time when he thought he was an actual lion and tried to bite me. Luckily, I survived. How fun it is to see him now as he attaches shoes on a baby giraffe or performs surgery on a gorilla. Julie is an elementary school teacher in South Holland, Illinois, recently celebrating 25 years in the classroom. Her students adore her, and she has also become an accomplished cook. She makes her own bagels and pasta! This from my little sister who never babysat and didn't like to help out in t...