Skittles hosts the weekly Heads or Tails....and today's theme is Mark
Today I mark my Sister’s 42nd Birthday.
Cynthia Kay was born a few months after we moved to California from New York. I had previously asked for (and received) a little brother…so this time around I asked for a little sister. It came as no surprise to me that a little sister is exactly what I got.
When she was little she would complain to the point of crying to be included in our games, events and antics. The parental mandate to let my sister play with me is probably when I first developed my eyerolling technique. The problem was she would go tattle with embellishment about everything we did. Everything. Once in utter exasperation, my brother and I threatened her. “If you keep telling on us...we are going to put snails down your pants.”
She told on us.
We put snails down the back of her pants.
Then pushed her so she sat on them.
She thought twice before being a tattletale.
When Cynthia was ten she announced to a group of family and friends how much she appreciated being the youngest in our family by explaining, “katherine cuts out the road….Billy paves it…and I just go skipping along.” Obviously an astute child.
When she was little she would complain to the point of crying to be included in our games, events and antics. The parental mandate to let my sister play with me is probably when I first developed my eyerolling technique. The problem was she would go tattle with embellishment about everything we did. Everything. Once in utter exasperation, my brother and I threatened her. “If you keep telling on us...we are going to put snails down your pants.”She told on us.
We put snails down the back of her pants.
Then pushed her so she sat on them.
She thought twice before being a tattletale.
When Cynthia was ten she announced to a group of family and friends how much she appreciated being the youngest in our family by explaining, “katherine cuts out the road….Billy paves it…and I just go skipping along.” Obviously an astute child.
She was only eleven when I went away to school. Things had started to disintegrate in our home at that point and
unfortunately, I know she did not benefit from the same childhood and teenage years that my brother and I had. By the time she went to college I was already a wife and mother. We didn’t get to know one another as adults until eight years ago when our Mama was diagnosed with breast cancer. From truly opposite walks of life we rallied as one. In a crisis we are really good together…in the day-to-day…not so much. I am not the “hallmark-type” of sister and I realize that has hurt her feelings at times.At 17, Cynthia moved to Santa Barbara to go to school…and just returned to Santa Cruz two years
ago. Our Mama is very happy to have us both “in town.” Although diametrically opposed in just about every segment of our lives….I found one thing we seem to have in common. In most of our pictures we have our eyes closed.I love my sister Cynthia very much…and I wish her a Happy Day of celebration and a wonderful year!
30 comments:
This is a fabulous and beautiful post Katherine! I am an only child, but I was raised with all of my cousins as if they were my siblings. So, I could totally relate these same feelings to certain family members. You explained everything wonderfully and you explained how you truly do love her, despite your differences. Great post.
I can't express how much this post hits home on this day even though her birthday would have been yesterday. And yesterday I laughed and loved and was silly and naughty and nary a tear was shed--which is how she'd have wanted it. Thank you though for the remembrance and the space to shed a tear or two.
When I say "her" I mean MY sister
just to be clear
Smooches
What a great post. Being the youngest I totally related to "Katherine cuts out the road....Billy paves it....and I just go skipping along."
Your sister is beautiful. She takes after her big sister. Really good post, I'll have to remember the snail down the pants thing, that might come in handy.. ha
xoxo nita
Happy birthday to your sister! I always wished I had one.
Misty: thanks - I do love her.
Turn: ahh sugah...I knew right away who you meant. I'm sure bein' YOUR sister she would love the naughty....Big hug.
Jeff: I've notice a couple other youngest traits you have....
Nita: thanks..she is...but we look NOTHING alike...smile.
Snails in the pants happens to be more pleasant than it sounds.
What a terrific tribute!! I can relate to a sister to sister relationship....it's so much a treasure in life.
You did good.
My H o T is posted.
Lucky youse guys.
And happy birthday to the sis!
As a victim of worms down the pants, I felt her pain.......
How pretty she is. So good looks run in the family?
I had to laugh at the snails down the pants. What a rotten thing to do.. but too funny!
Happy Birthday to Cynthia!
This is a beautiful post to your sister and I hope she sees it.
I only have a younger sister and we are still struggling to come together as adults as she has told me I abandoned her when I left home...I didn't do it intentionally as I am sure you understand, never even saw it that way. Maybe someday I will have my sister in my life, regardless I still cherish her....and see your post drew all of this out of me, so again I say excellent post.
Nice post, pretty woman. Sometimes I'm amazed that any of us make it to 20.
Snails isn't so bad, my brother and I would put long sticks in the outhouse hole and chase our sisters with them. :-)
Mining town mentality. *rolls eyes*
Happy B-Day to your sister. She obviously has survived a life of sarcastic remarks from you. Cheers!!
I've got a couple of sisters I can share if you want. I have little use for them, and they have no use for me, so they're going cheap.
Seriously, I can relate to the being at polar opposites with a sister. The age differences in our family are only a minute fraction of what separates us. Doesn't mean I don't still care for my sisters; we just don't go out of our ways to be with each other.
Sigh.
At least you remember your sister's birthday. Most of mine don't acknowledge me on a daily basis, let alone on my birthday.
It's funny how your post is a cross between what I would write about each of my two sisters. My older sister and I are much closer in age and we should have been very chummy, but we never had much in common. But my little sister is 9 years younger and we've always been the best of friends. My older sister is the one who would tell Mom *everything*... after assuring yet again me that she would keep the secret. I feel bad that I can't share some things with her, because that's what sisters are supposed to be for.
That's a thoughtful post. I just realized I didn't have you added to my link list. Adding you today.
What a beautiful tribute. You are so blessed to have a sister--I'm an only child and I sometimes wish I had someone to share things with and someone to torment! Great post, Katherine.
This is a beautiful post Ms. Katherine.... thank you for introducing us to your sister and HAPPY BIRTHDAY CYNTHIA
I have a sister who I am 12 years older than, and I'm finding it difficult to keep up with her now. It's good to know that when she gets a bit older we will have a chance to re-connect. And if we don't, I'm gonna try those snails-I don't care if she's 20!
Happy Birthday to Little Sis!
My sister's birthday is coming up on Dec 2. I love that quote about the road. I think my sister would say that I cut out the road and let her pave it.
I never would have dared the snails though. She's not afraid of spiders, you see. LOL!
How very sweet. What a wonderful tribute to your sis. Honest and true.
Also....
Please stop by Bloggingham Palace Wednesday night for a party after The Mo Show - 7:30 - 9:00 pm EST. Everyone is invited! I think it's about time we got into some trouble on a school night. Castle Chat
I really enjoyed this because of my relationship own little sister (which is stressed also because of our family history). Cynthia must be proud to have you as her sister.
That was real sweet!
Peace
How on earth did I miss this earlier in the week, Katherine?
Can I just say I had very damp eyes.
I know all about these things - by the time I was five, my three (much) older brothers were in the navy and air force.
God bless you and Cynthia. You deserve this special bond.
Lovely post, lovely sister. I found you through David's post of the day. I love my sisters, and the older we get, the more we have in common. I am the baby, but much younger (9 & 12 years) They were more mothers to me than sisters when I was young, as our mom died when I was nine. Now, they are my best friends--well other than Ornery! :-)
TM
This is a first visit for me to your Blog, but I like what I see so far. I found you through "Authorblog" and enjoyed your post about celebrating your sister's birthday. My sister is currently traveling in an RV with her husband (for at least a couple of years) so our contact is through cell phones. I miss the regular face-to-face connection and this will be our first Christmas ever apart. She's as special to me as your sister is to you. Thanks for sharing.
Hugs and blessings,
Loved that snails thing. Somehow, I can picture myself threatening a little sister with that, too. Very loving post. Congratulations on being named Post of The Day.
Loved that snails thing. Somehow, I can picture myself threatening a little sister with that, too. Very loving post. Congratulations on being named Post of The Day.
Hi Katherine, sorry I'm late in finding you. I have just done so via David McMahon. It is a wonderful gift to have a sister. I have a younger sister, by almost 6 years and we love each other dearly. However, our relationship hasn't always been as it is today. We spent many years quite distant from one another and have now realised that even though we have little in common, the love we have for each other is unconditional.
Best wishes, Crystal xx
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