This week’s Sepia Saturday photo prompt features a baby
carriage.
I was an only child for almost 8 years. I wanted a baby sister. So I wished on every wishbone.
 |
| from Google Images |
I wished on every birthday candle.
I said it out loud.
(I’m sure my parents were embarrassed.
But I’m sure they embarrassed me plenty, so we’ll just call it even.)
Eventually it happened.
 |
| Wendy and Mary Jollette August 1959 |
And Momma made sure that baby sister was MINE. I fed her.
I changed her diapers. I dressed
her. When she was getting too old for
that second nap, which kept her up at all hours, I had to play with her and walk
her around and make darn sure she didn’t go to sleep. It was not easy.
Sometimes I wished I hadn’t wished for that sister.
Like when I had to help with birthday parties and
sleep-overs.
And when I had to keep playing “Chopsticks” and “Heart
and Soul.”
I even played house when I was much too old for
that.
 |
| 1964 (I was on my knees!) |
And this is the thanks I get.
But fast forward many years …
 |
| I'm the tall one. She's the pretty one. |
Today we're the best of friends. Just what I wished for.
©2014, Wendy
Mathias. All rights reserved.
Ha - thanks! I can't wait for my sister to see this. I wonder if she'll agree.
ReplyDeleteOh, you made me cry. And laugh. You are both the pretty ones! This is a most wonderful post, Miss Wendy! I was 7 when my last sister was born, so I can relate. Hugs,
ReplyDeleteKathy M.
Thanks Kathy -- your check is in the mail!
DeleteLol and <3
DeleteOh...great post! I was born in 1959...and I had two sisters who wished for me...they were 11 and 9 when I was born. They "raised" me too and then they both got married at 18 and I was left all alone :(
ReplyDeleteAnd I had that same stroller! And the sun top had dingle balls on it.)
Hmm, birth order specialists would have a field day trying to figure out what baby-of-the-family and only-child traits you have.
DeleteThis is a great story told with pictures - or is it a cautionary tale Wendy? Either way it had the perfect happy ending.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marilyn! I like how it turned out too, especially considering the years I wanted to drop-kick her into next week.
DeleteAwww... two wonderful ladies xo
ReplyDeleteAw shucks, Little Mommy!
DeleteGreat photos, thank you. That push chair looks a bit like a shopping trolley!
ReplyDeleteHa- yeah - and there was probably at least one bad wheel too.
DeleteWendy, such a lovely story...and you are both pretty! My granddaughters are 7 years apart, now 16 and 9, she is good she comes many times to the level of the 9 year old. My sister is 5 years older, when she was 7 an I was 2, she took me into the village and left me there, she said she did not want a sister, so the story goes..like how you were looking after your little sister, but I guess it can get sometimes a bit much to look after a much younger sibling.
ReplyDeleteThat's a funny sister story. But obviously you are none the worse for being abandoned. I don't think I ever did anything that bad.
DeleteAw! This is such a sweet post!
ReplyDeleteVery heartwarming - a tribute to sisterhood. I sure miss mine and wish I'd been more appreciative when I had the chance! I hope your sister reads this.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I'll hear about it when she gets around to reading. In fact, I'm surprised she hasn't found this post yet.
DeleteThank you for this wonderful story. It is a blessing to have one or more sisters.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is a blessing. Especially for blogging and family history, two heads are better than one!
DeleteMy birthday was always celebrated on Thanksgiving because I was born on Thanksgiving. I got the wishbone from the Thanksgiving turkey to make a wish.
ReplyDeleteI hope you made good wishes. Did they come true?
DeleteLawd girl! LOL this is funny. I am SURE Momma made you be the mother, heavens knows she didn't have time with all that sewing and schoolwork. You forgot to mention getting be a new candy bag on Erickson Street when mine burst Halloween night-that is a true sister!
ReplyDeleteJust picture me doing the hand clap like Nettie and Celie from the Color Purple!
Love,
Your baby sister!
Well, you certainly took your time getting here! (Both in real life and in blogging life.) I guess if I had had a Halloween picture I could have told that story.
Deleteme not be-that is what I get for typing with no glasses!
ReplyDeleteYou can be forgiven.
DeleteLOL
DeleteWhat a lovely series of photos - and a lovely sentiment :-) I'm the eldest of 4 and all I wished for was a kitten/puppy/pony... But I appreciate my siblings now!
ReplyDeleteKitten/puppy/pony wishes are good too.
DeleteOh this was quite fun. What a happy and joyful time you had growing up! I loved playing house too and well actually I guess in way we still are!
ReplyDeleteHa ha - yes, I guess playing house was just a dress rehearsal for the real thing.
DeleteThey were powerful wishbones you were using, so funny and heartwarming. You could never mistake you for anything but sisters.
ReplyDeleteThat's what everyone says, but I don't see it. However, we do have the same knees.
DeleteRosemary Clooney's song 'Sisters' came to my mind immediately I read this but I could only find a Bette Midler recording of it to remind me of the 'devoted sisters.' Seema appropriate somehow.
ReplyDeleteOh Bob -- you must know that every year we watch "White Christmas" and sing right along with Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen. Our other tune is "Miss Celie's Blues" (or "Sister") from "The Color Purple." My husband will even sing a snip of one song or the other if he catches Mary and me doing something "sisterly" like saying the same thing at the same time.
DeleteThis is the sweetest sister tribute! My favorite pic is the one of you pushing her in the stroller - you look so proud to be the big sister. :) I nominate your post as the best of this week's Sepia Sat. submissions.
ReplyDeleteI think I was indeed proud -- it was just a few months into the game so the newness hadn't worn off.
DeleteI also did the wishbone thing and birthday, etc, but eventually, my parents had to explain to me the facts of life and that mommy's baby manufacture was closed for good, given she (and I) nearly died... The machinery had been surgically removed. So there were no cabbage patch or bees stories for me. I knew the real deal, and that it wouldn't be happening. So, I find this especially touching that you so wanted a sibling, and eventually got your wish. Great set!!
ReplyDelete:)~
HUGZ
Baby manufacturing parts or not, your mom didn't need to mess with perfection! So glad you both made it out of there alive.
DeleteIndeed, but she wanted more kids, and had to be happy with only one. Not her idea of family as she herself had a few siblings. Oh well!!
DeleteWhat a wonderful and enjoyable post. And you are both very attractive.
ReplyDeleteMy Aunty told stories of her troublesome younger brother (my dad) as she had to get him to sleep (he was 16 years younger) before she could go out. She was certain that he deliberately played up to stop her from going out!
Oh, yeah, that does sound like a troublesome brother. And when you're itching to go out, a few minutes can feel like an eternity.
DeleteA really neat twist on the baby in a pram theme. Very special, thanks for the treat.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure.
DeleteWhat a sweet post! That picture in front of the Christmas tree--hilarious!
ReplyDeleteHmm -- I wonder if you mean the first tree or second tree.
DeleteThey always do say you should be careful what you wish for. You were a very good elder sister. I wish I could say the same but we were much closer in age.
ReplyDelete