Sister Time



Growing up we didn't like each other very much.  Our mom said that someday we'd be friends.  We didn't believe her.

We had some horrendous fights...hair pulling, scratching, screaming at the top of our lungs.  I remember the time we were grabbing at each other after school because one of us had something the other wanted and my glasses went flying off my face only to break as they hit the floor.  Mom had just started a new job to help make ends meet and I had just gotten those glasses.  We both knew there was going to be a price to pay when our parents got home and neither one of us was going to admit any guilt.  I'm pretty sure both of us had to empty out our scrawny bank accounts to put toward a new pair of glasses for me.

She taunted me.
I bossed her.
She complained about me.
I made up rules and made her follow them because that's what big sisters do.

I didn't think there was anyone I could like any less, unless it was my youngest sister who caused me as much angst as my middle sister did.

We grew up.
And we found that the other wasn't so bad after all.

Now that we live 1,000 miles apart, we don't get to see each other very often.  So when we do, it's time that cannot be wasted.  We laugh, we hang out, we read, we eat good food.   We talk about what it's like to have grown up kids.  We still feel like we're 30 ourselves.  We remember the times we had to stand up for each other or be there to hold on tight when the other one was falling apart.  We think about what the future holds for us as we are now considered middle aged by our younger, hipper children.   How did that happen?

She no longer taunts me,
And I try not to boss her, although sometimes I slip.
I like to think of it as good advice.  (If I didn't tell her to pinch off the basil so it would fill out again, who would?)

I'm pretty sure this basil can be saved if she only follows my directions.  :)

We no longer hate the sight of each other.  And is always the case, Mom was right.

We are sisters who are also friends.




Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for hosting Slice of Life Tuesday.  I invite you to go to their site to read other Slice of Life stories.

Comments

  1. I love this story and can relate. I am in the US and part of what I look forward to is catching up with my younger sister. We were those sisters too! I have hope that my semi grown sons will one day be friends.

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  2. I love this story and can relate. I am in the US and part of what I look forward to is catching up with my younger sister. We were those sisters too! I have hope that my semi grown sons will one day be friends.

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  3. I can relate Judy. I could be hanging with Tara right now up at her farm, instead I'm stayed back for another day in our hometown, making sure my brother get a ride back and forth to the doctor. So good to have his guy as a brother and damn he fought like crazy as kids.
    Bonnie K.

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  4. Sisters are awesome! I have one sister. We acted the same way when we were young. Now that we are older, we appreciate each other. Nice! Jennifer Sniadecki

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  5. Lovely and I must say I wondered what I might do to resuscitate my basil. Now i know.

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  6. Lovely and I must say I wondered what I might do to resuscitate my basil. Now i know.

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  7. You wrote this so beautifully, Julie, made me want to have a sister, as I often have wished. I have a wonderful brother, thank goodness. Your piece reminds me of my grand-girls who may wander through their childhood as you & your sister have. They are two years apart, & already the conflicts happen. I know they will be good friends later, as you are with your sister. I do regret sometimes that all the family isn't together as families used to be, but I moved away, too, wanting new roots. Thanks for the sweetness of your post.

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  8. This post just made me smile. I love the honesty and emotions shared here and let's hope she does listen to you about the basil.

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