I Remember: You

Author's note:  My sister recently celebrated a milestone birthday, so I decided to write her a little something in remembrance.  It's more of a poem than prose...or maybe a hybrid.

"Let it Be" by The Beatles is my song dedication to her...because we both love The Beatles. 

"Whisper words of wisdom...Let it be..."

I Remember:  You

I remember:   Your relief when Mom refused to throw me in the garbage as you requested….only kidding…I don’t remember that.

I remember:  You urged me to fly on wobbly wings among typical living room tables.

I remember:  You thought you were my mommy, too.

I remember:  You sat by me at a yellow breakfast bar…breakfast after breakfast of toast….yours with butter only or maybe cinnamon sugar….mine with anything sweet I could get my hands on.

I remember:  You played Barbie with me.

I remember:  You and I shared Sunday après-church Burger King fries.  They were a small.  You liked ketchup and mustard on your burger…I liked ketchup only.

I remember:  You had to take piano from the scary piano teacher…I didn’t understand it.  I still don’t…and she had a scary little Pomeranian, too….and her son had lots of snakes.

I remember:  You got your ears pierced at thirteen…about the same time I became persona non grata.

I remember:  You told me I was better than that.  I don’t remember why you said it, but I’m sure it was fitting.

I remember:  You picked me up at the station after I travelled hours and hours on a stinky Greyhound to visit you at college.  It was worth it.

I remember:  You were afraid of lots of little caterpillars in your room (that darn screen never fit quite right).  I helped you clean them up.

I remember:  You were brave and changed directions.

I remember:  You liked alternative rock…and I did, too….Simple Minds at the Bronco Bowl, but in separate cars with separate friends on different days.

I remember:  You allowed me to tag along to Scotland.  We bought plaid stuffed Nessies and other plaid things….and learned about wold cots.

I remember:  You searched and found and then wished.

I remember:   You cried….and later I cried.

I remember:  You proudly announced the impending arrival of your own little hope….and another.

I remember:  You bought the same Gap shirt as I…a whole country’s width apart.

I remember:  You became a teacher….only to discover you were one all along.

I remember:  You and I danced with abandon to old eighties disco tunes with our children…and laughed.

I remember:  You personified determination…for years and years and infinity.

I remember:  You sat down and burned me a “Welcome Home” CD after our return from Canada.

I remember:  You bought a better camera…and it turned you into Queen Butterfly.

I remember:  You challenged me to think.

I remember:  You.

Comments

[Laura]

I'm sure they do and will, Suzy! You're a vibrant lady with many friends. Thanks for commenting and Happy Easter!

[Suzy]

I hope someone remembers me so fondly and articulately! Lovely.

[Laura]

You're welcome and you're worth it!

[Super Bluebonnet]

I really love this. Thank you again.

[Laura]

Thank you!

[david]

This simply wonderful

[Laura]

Thanks, Deborah, for the affirmation...it's a wonderful and necessary thing, I think.

[Deborah]

Wow you must have a wonderful sister and apparently you are one too. That is really beautiful and I will share it with my daughters.