I miss my sisters, Linda, my twin sister who died in 2021, and our older sister Sue who died in 1990. Because we lived far from each other, we used to talk a lot on the phone. I wish there was a phone to heaven. We were always close, but when we were young the age gap seemed bigger. Sue was a teenager when Lin and I were in elementary school. We were in awe of her clothes and her friends, and mesmerized by the things she did, especially dating BOYS! We could be annoying too. Sometimes Lin and I would gang up on her and tease her about the boys she dated or “borrow” clothes out of her closet without asking. There were two of us and only one of her, which I’m sure was really frustrating for her. But the older we got the more we had in common and the 5 year distance in our ages disappeared. Sue paved the way for Lin and me on the journey to adulthood. We watched as she did things we could only dream of, going to football games and parties with her friends, graduating from high school and college, getting a job as a teacher in southern Minnesota, and meeting the love of her life, Jim. We were bridesmaids at her wedding. I wanted to be like her. Lin was my confidant and partner in crime. We went on adventures around the neighborhood, making forts in the tall grassy area at the end of the block. We invented lives for her Bonnie Braids doll and “Teddy” my stuffed bear. We planned entertainments with our friends and held performances on our front porch. After we went to bed at night in the room we shared, I would tell her all my secret fears and dreams. I was lucky to have Sue and Lin in my life. We supported each other as kids and that connection continued into our adult lives. I miss being able to share the good things in my life as well as the comfort they offered when I was going through difficult times. I miss being a sounding board for their struggles and a cheerleader when they needed encouragement. I learned to be a better person with the help of my sisters and that is reflected in my life today. The give and take and mutual support that I had with Lin and Sue is still alive and well, even though they are no longer on this planet. I am grateful that I have many friends who are like family to me, who have become the sisters I lost and the brothers I never had. These relationships are the legacy of being lucky enough to be a sister.
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Leslie Masona woman in search of her post-retirement future Guess what! By subscribing, you get notices about the latest Little Old Lady with Cats posts sent to your mailbox!
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