This week, our Life Stories question has to do with siblings.
Summer temperatures in the 100 degree range are pretty normal in my part of Texas. Which is why I try to schedule an annual pilgrimage to visit my five siblings in Wisconsin and Minnesota during July or August. By then, I’ve had enough of the heat and am ready for a comfortable Midwest summer.
Usually, we gather in one place, as many as can make it, for at least for an afternoon or evening of food and fellowship. With a fourteen year spread between my oldest and youngest sibling, it’s always fun to see who remembers what. There’s always love and laughter in abundance, and I thoroughly enjoy these get togethers.
This year, with health and travel issues, it wasn’t going to work for everyone to get together. So I visited each brother and sister individually. What a treat to spend time with each of them one-on-one!
One thing I realized on this trip is that I have no memories of my eldest sister while she lived at home. Ten years separate us, so I was only seven or eight when she left for college. Still, it’s odd that I have no memories of interacting with her at home.
My older brother is eight years older, and I do remember a couple of times when he babysat for me. One time when I was
about 8 or 9, he’d apparently been assigned to read Pride and Prejudice for school, because he sat me on his lap and started reading it to me. I remember trying to understand that famous first line. It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
Another time, I was home alone, but my mother had told me my brother would be up at the camp where we lived if I needed anything. It was night time, and I got a bit scared at home by myself. So I called up to camp and my brother came down to the house, took my hand and walked me back up to camp making believe I was his girlfriend. I felt so grown-up!
Of course, with another sister and two more brothers, I have lots of memories I could share with you, but those will have to wait for another time.
So, my Life Stories question for you this week is what special memory do you have about one of your siblings? Did you enjoy a close relationship or were you sworn enemies? Leave a comment and tell me all about it.
