Brothers and Sisters

Charley told me something sweet the other day. "Grandma, I wouldn't be as happy if I never had my brother. He makes me laugh. He makes me happy. I am so lucky Sage is my brother."

It was a strikingly sweet thing to say and remarkable that it came from an eight year old. I wondered if I shared a similar thought about my sister when I was eight? I don't think I was that introspective. Maybe it doesn't matter how old you are if just once in a while you pause and thank your lucky stars you have the siblings you do.

My sister and I have always been on the same 'wave length'. When we were girls growing up together we would finish each other's sentences or thoughts. We thought nothing of it. We knew what the other was thinking and talking about and it just seemed natural. We both married shortly out of high school and have lived apart ever since. But we've never lost our "closeness" no matter if thousands of miles have separated us. When she lived in Germany and England and I in California we would surprise each other by sending our dad identical birthday cards. We've often sent nearly the same present at Christmas times to the same parent. People say we look alike. Our own grandchildren remark that we sound alike. And just this evening, we both baked our husbands oatmeal raisin cookies, without consulting each other.

It could be in Past Lives, we've been twins. We are certainly close. There's a year and a half separating us and currently nine hundred miles but we're never far from each other's thoughts and yes, we can still finish each other's sentences too. Frequently, when we Instant Message each other, we start talking about the same subject at the same time.

Today, in a visit to Charley and Sage's school, the music teacher remarked that we were a lucky family to have two little boys who were so close to each other and who cared for each other so much. I nodded and agreed emphatically. He said, "Those two boys are each other's buddies, aren't they?"

Maybe this family's togetherness is continuing. When my sister and I pass on, my grandsons will continue forming their close bonds and finish each other's sentences and send their daddy the same birthday cards and presents. There's something unique about this. But I'll bet it exists in other families as well as ours.