"Princess-Pooh, third in order, but first in a three-way tie in my heart."
My father wrote these words to me in a recent e-mail conversation we were having. Being one of 2 girls ten and twenty years apart and tossed amongst thorns of 7 brothers(the last few could literally be the ones in my side), I was a "daddy's girl" from the start. I remember loving pink and football growing up. I recall one memory of coming down the stairs in our Concordia house where Luke and Isaac's friend had gathered to play some basketball and by basketball, I mean a nerf ball and a gallon ice cream bucket stapled to the rafters. As I came down to observe, I noticed they were playing shirts and skins. I naturally found it necessary that I play so I proceeded to take my shirt off so I could jump in the skins team. Dearest Luke. He ever so kindly snatched up my shirt, gave it to me and gently pushed me towards the stairs saying I couldn't play with them and to go ask Mom why. Yeah, I always wanted to be getting into mischief with my brothers.
A few memories stick out in my mind about my eldest sister. As she mentioned in her post, I was only a baby when she was married. I remember her and Joel living in a small house in Concordia before moving to Florida. Then I remember going to Florida with Mom and Seth when Nathan was born. We stayed with some of their friends that night. We camped out in their living room and had Little Caesars pizza. I don't remember who they were or what they look like, however, I do remember how cool they were. I also remember going to the Strawberry place and Luke trying to eat an entire shortcake. Ang was always an older sister who gave me nephews and nieces who were REALLY good at sports :) I remember more so playing with her kids than actually her as I grew up. Now that I am entering this whole adult gig, I am finding out that my siblings are actually people. She is kind of awesome. She is wise and always knows what to say to bring me back down to a logical state. I can't wait for the years to come so I can get to know her more and more.
Sarah. Ha. I can't think about her without something ridiculous coming to mind. Any person reading this who has the pleasure of knowing her, knows what I mean. :) As I grew up, there were a few things about her that I remember. The biggest one being, oh I don't know, I wanted to BE her. I was the typical little girl who was starry eyed and wanted to do everything like her big sister. I remember sitting in a big chair with her crying because it had just sunk in that when she married Chad, she would be leaving and I would be all alone and unprotected. She always protected me from my mean brothers(ISAAC!!). Oh, I also remember being theeeeeee sole person at her wedding who cried. I am pretty sure I hated Chad their first year of marriage. I mean come on! The jerk stole my sister away from me! :) I remember her being in Mary Kay and going down to Texas with her twice for convention to watch whichever baby was youngest. Autumn and Cory maybe? In high school, she gave some great advice about friends and dumb drama. And by great advice naturally that means taking me to my room and playing a song called "Roses by Outkast". Yes, ladies and gents. "I know you think your **** don't stink, but lean a little bit closer and see that roses really smell like Pooo ppoooooooo." In the past year, she has become one of my best friends and has pulled me out of my biggest rut yet. Through all that, all I have to show for it is a new nickname. Just call me Eeyore. :)
Friday, February 25, 2011
Middle child syndrome
Middle child, middle girl, 7 brothers, 2 sisters. I'm sure I'm a psychologist's dream.
It's the middle girl thing that has really defined so much of my personality, I think. I didn't grow up with my sisters like so many other sisters do. We didn't get to share clothes til much later in life. We didn't steal each other's boyfriends, although I did have a mad crush on Ang's "friend" in high school. Can't remember his name though? Chris, maybe? I was about 6 or 7 though, so I didn't have much of a shot. We didn't have epic fights over the bathrooms or make-up or clothes. We managed to grow up for the most part as the only girl in the family. Kinda cool, I think.
My childhood memories are filled with boys, boys and more boys. My brothers, my brothers' friends, my brothers' toys, my brothers' games. I loved it.
There are these flashes of sister moments, though. They are the ties that held us together until we became friends.
I did steal Ang's Oreos. Wouldn't you, if you happened to find them under her pillow? We shared a room for about 2 seconds. I think I moved out sometime after the Oreo incident. Ang took me, Gabe and our friend, Stephanie to a circus once in our big family van. I think I rode an elephant there. She was cool like that. When Ang was in college, I spent the night with her and got to hang out with this kinda interesting fella who had a sweet gaming set-up in his closet-size dorm room. She went on to marry that interesting guy and all of our lives have been forever changed...in a good way!
I vaguely remember Grace coming home from the hospital. All I could think was, "Finally! Another girl." There has never been, nor will there ever be a cuter little girl. The roundest, rosiest cheeks and the sweetest smile. From very early on, I think we all knew she was up to something special. She had a naturally kind heart and consideration for others. What we all considered a "dramatic" personality has mellowed into a deep understanding of herself and an insight to emotions that far surpass her years. She still has that kind and considerate heart and I have a feeling she'll never grow out of that one.
Having sisters is one of life's true gifts, whether you are months, years or decades apart. I know I am forever grateful for mine!
It's the middle girl thing that has really defined so much of my personality, I think. I didn't grow up with my sisters like so many other sisters do. We didn't get to share clothes til much later in life. We didn't steal each other's boyfriends, although I did have a mad crush on Ang's "friend" in high school. Can't remember his name though? Chris, maybe? I was about 6 or 7 though, so I didn't have much of a shot. We didn't have epic fights over the bathrooms or make-up or clothes. We managed to grow up for the most part as the only girl in the family. Kinda cool, I think.
My childhood memories are filled with boys, boys and more boys. My brothers, my brothers' friends, my brothers' toys, my brothers' games. I loved it.
There are these flashes of sister moments, though. They are the ties that held us together until we became friends.
I did steal Ang's Oreos. Wouldn't you, if you happened to find them under her pillow? We shared a room for about 2 seconds. I think I moved out sometime after the Oreo incident. Ang took me, Gabe and our friend, Stephanie to a circus once in our big family van. I think I rode an elephant there. She was cool like that. When Ang was in college, I spent the night with her and got to hang out with this kinda interesting fella who had a sweet gaming set-up in his closet-size dorm room. She went on to marry that interesting guy and all of our lives have been forever changed...in a good way!
I vaguely remember Grace coming home from the hospital. All I could think was, "Finally! Another girl." There has never been, nor will there ever be a cuter little girl. The roundest, rosiest cheeks and the sweetest smile. From very early on, I think we all knew she was up to something special. She had a naturally kind heart and consideration for others. What we all considered a "dramatic" personality has mellowed into a deep understanding of herself and an insight to emotions that far surpass her years. She still has that kind and considerate heart and I have a feeling she'll never grow out of that one.
Having sisters is one of life's true gifts, whether you are months, years or decades apart. I know I am forever grateful for mine!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Eldest sister reflects
After 10 years and 3 brothers, I really wanted a sister.
And I got my wish - Sarah!
She was so cute and happy...to the point that our mother was concerned that she might be brain damaged because she never cried. She kept life interesting...we accidentally left her at a grocery store when she was about 3 or 4. She snuck into my room and ate my Oreos while I was at school (I already know what she's going to say, "Well, you didn't hide them very well!"). She was a junior bridesmaid in my wedding...and had a huge crush on my dear husband's nephew, the junior groomsman. She surprised me by coming to visit with our parents when my first daughter was born...and was on the recieving end of a blowout diaper while wearing white shorts shortly after they arrived (and still went on to have 4 kids of her own - go figure!). She called me up one early summer day and asked if there was any way we could be in Pensacola the next week - for her wedding! I could go on (and probably will at a later date) but suffice it to say that she's one of my best friends, now that she's grown out of the Oreo-stealing stage.
Then 10 more years and 3 more brothers brought us two girls another sister - Grace!
She was also cute and happy and was only a baby when she attended my wedding. Because there is a 20 year age difference between us, people used to think she was my daughter when we were out in public together. She has been a doting aunt to my kids, even though she was only 5 when my son was born. Sadly, I don't have as many memories of her childhood as I do with Sarah, because I've lived 1200 miles away most of her life. But, I have loved watching her grow up into the lovely young woman she has become and love that we have become more than just sisters but also friends, with lots of years ahead to make memories.
And I got my wish - Sarah!
She was so cute and happy...to the point that our mother was concerned that she might be brain damaged because she never cried. She kept life interesting...we accidentally left her at a grocery store when she was about 3 or 4. She snuck into my room and ate my Oreos while I was at school (I already know what she's going to say, "Well, you didn't hide them very well!"). She was a junior bridesmaid in my wedding...and had a huge crush on my dear husband's nephew, the junior groomsman. She surprised me by coming to visit with our parents when my first daughter was born...and was on the recieving end of a blowout diaper while wearing white shorts shortly after they arrived (and still went on to have 4 kids of her own - go figure!). She called me up one early summer day and asked if there was any way we could be in Pensacola the next week - for her wedding! I could go on (and probably will at a later date) but suffice it to say that she's one of my best friends, now that she's grown out of the Oreo-stealing stage.
Then 10 more years and 3 more brothers brought us two girls another sister - Grace!
She was also cute and happy and was only a baby when she attended my wedding. Because there is a 20 year age difference between us, people used to think she was my daughter when we were out in public together. She has been a doting aunt to my kids, even though she was only 5 when my son was born. Sadly, I don't have as many memories of her childhood as I do with Sarah, because I've lived 1200 miles away most of her life. But, I have loved watching her grow up into the lovely young woman she has become and love that we have become more than just sisters but also friends, with lots of years ahead to make memories.
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