Shout out to my little sister, who is turning 21 today! I still remember seeing her in the hospital, all red and funny-looking. Our pastor’s son had to pick me up so I could see her. I remember being told not to jump on mom. I was almost 2 and very enthusiastic. Mom was wearing a green housecoat with some Asian print which wore out a while ago. But back then it was pretty new.
I remember throwing all her stuffed animals out of her crib and blaming her. I remember when she was 3? and tried to copy me jumping over a ditch, fell in, and would have drowned if I hadn’t gotten help. I never ran faster. Mom cried. I remember when we were racing and she fell and broke her arm. She was 3; she cried. I remember when she was 6 and tried to copy me on the swings and broke her thumb; she cried a little less. I remember cheating at “Gumby” and realizing that in the end you don’t win because she refused to play at all.
I remember our stable of invisible horses. Our “gang” of stuffed animals who went on adventures after we’d been put to bed. Dad yelling at us to quiet down and go to sleep. The little town in the woods we built entirely out of sticks and such—with a no-string policy. Dressing up in our best outfits and having pizza once we were old enough to be left home alone together.
I remember talking about our “brother Eric” so we wouldn’t be scared when we were walking home together. He and his pit bull would have protected us…it’s a good thing he was out on probation after he seriously injured his martial arts instructor accidentally. I don’t know why we called him Eric.
I remember when she started working at the library, how we’d bet who could shelve fastest. How much she took care of Mom when I was off at college and Mom got sick. Teasing her about being our future dictator when she did so well in poli-sci & student government.
And now she’s 21, starting her senior year, and ready to take over the world.
(not to be outdone by my little sister, I get to celebrate my 23rd birthday this Saturday the 13th. Unfortunately, nobody likes you when you’re 23.)
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That was such a sweet post! I actually almost got a little teary…I have an older sister, and while we had very different experiences than you two, this post brought back a lot of memories. I remembered it was like to be young, the world full of such mystery, and no one was as cool as your older sister. I mean NO ONE.
I hope years from now you’ll have another long list of memories to add to that.
Aren’t little sisters great? We had so much fun together (and she annoyed me a lot!) when we were growing up. We still have fun going through life together. Last month, I watched my little sister give birth to her first child. I hope my little niece has a little sister some day.
Hahaha! My little sister is turning 21 too! I’m not turning 23 though…I’m already 27 🙁
I find it amusing that the majority of your memories are of me injuring myself seriously. 🙂
However, you certainly brought back a lot of memories, most of them good, for me. Right now, my friends and I are hitting that senior year “AHHHHHH” moment when we begin contemplating life post-college. It’s a bit scary, so sometimes it’s nice to look back…
Happy birthday to both of you. With a few exceptions it is nice to remember how well you played together when you were young.
And 23 is a fine age. The song was written for a character that sounds pretty rotten. Unlike you.
And to “Your Sister”, one day at a time gets you through you senior year and onto whatever you end up doing beyond.
@Sister, In my defense, you had a lot of childhood injuries/trauma (until you were about 7). Makes a much stronger impression on another child than, say, an afternoon frolicking along the side of the creek.
I also remember things like the time when, through all kinds of miscommunication, I ended up being home alone at 5 yrs. (that one was your fault!)
My fault, actually.
Beth broke three bones before she was 12. You didn’t have a serious injury until you were 15. No wonder her injuries stuck in your mind!
I was so glad you each had a sister. I loved my sisters.
I’d forgotten her toe. But I guess that one wasn’t somehow connected to something she and I had been doing together, so the guilt was a little less dramatic too. Ooh, and she twisted her leg that one time. Oh soccer.
Happy birthday to the both of you. The childhood memories will just grow into stronger and stronger bonds. After all you are family!
Best regards
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