Sisters and Photos

It's my little sister's birthday tomorrow, so I was trying to remember what might have been going through my head at the time. I was just about to turn six myself, and was the second of three girls at that point. I was comfy in that spot, I believe, at that age, though the previous Thanksgiving must have been the one when I got scarlet fever and an intense dislike for turkey and hospitals. Maybe Mom was pregnant, and that was why they put me in the hospital. Don't remember much except vivid memories of

the separation and the shots. This was undoubtedly the first time I was really apart from my siblings and parents, in my conscious memory anyway.

So it was probably just fine and normal to be getting a new sister, though there was likely some discussion about "it" being a boy this time. I know we were all aware of Dad wanting a son. Getting Paula was terrific in every way, to my mind. She was always the most fun of us, at least until my little brother appeared to steal her spotlight six years later.

But Paula was not in the famous picture I have of the three of us in our matching Easter dresses in 1955, a year before she arrived. My grandmother made us new dresses every Easter, and I so loved those dresses. When I asked Mom about that time, she told me that they had searched for a house throughout that pregnancy (we were living in a semi-row in downtown Wilmington, across from a park and in front of a gas station.) When we moved it was into the country. (Of course it isn't the country now.)

She said they stumbled upon the house, selling by the owner, and it cost $22,500, which was their budget at the time. The house wasn't that special but the yard was divine. And the yard was always my favorite part, for sure.

But we moved that July, right after Paula was born, and right after a vacation at a lake which was probably just another bunch of work for Mom, but a change of places to play for us. I was a big explorer/scientist so was happy in nature anywhere. I'm so glad Mom chose that yard, though. It had a huge effect on me. It was practically a farm. The last photo shows Paula and the sister formally known as "Butterball" (drat that yellow dress) on her first birthday, on the front porch of our new house.

Most of the pictures from that era were of Mom sailing our Lightning, which we did every summer weekend. Imagine that with four little girls. Mom at the tiller was a strong childhood image, even more precious now. My mom was amazing, and she still is, inspiring and supportive and practical and strong. And Paula has grown up to be that way, too.

She runs marathons, even 50-mile races! She fronted bands and did a lot more with her musical abilities than any of us, and still sings wonderful harmony. She is a kick-ass Mom and hard worker and so very dedicated. She can do things that would make me a quivering mess. So it's her birthday, and this isn't a proper shout-out, but I love these photos and thought they would be fun to share. I love my family!