My sister Dorothy turns 52 today. That's really difficult for me to believe.

Just like I still can't believe she spent two years in Africa, in Djibouti, to be exact. And that's why we call her Djibouti Girl.

I was 8 when she was born and I really don't remember my parents bringing her home from the hospital.

Dorothy was always a bright, cheery girl. She's always been chubby, except when she was under the care of a Fort Benning pediatrician who put her on a diet. She lost the weight and then she gained it all back. Since then, unlike me, she's maintained the same weight. I've yo-yoed back and forth, and she's probably healthier than I am.

Next year is the landmark year. My youngest sister, Patty, turns 50.

Actually, the real landmark year is this year. I turn 60.

Yikes!