How Much For De Weemen?

They're not for sale, I tell ya!

The three pictured here - all with their thick, thick hair - are my mom and her two sisters. I know she doesn't look it, but my mom (on left) is the oldest, the aunt in the middle is the baby, leaving aunt on right as the middle child (she's also a newly minted grandmother, for which she doesn't get nearly enough grief, maybe because I thought of her as a grandmother to my kids for years). Don't they look happy? That's because I'm there for Christmas. You believe me, right?

These three women have played vital roles in my life. You might suspect that, just looking at them, they'd be quiet, subdued women, incapable of impacting another dramatically, changing the course of someone's life. You'd be WRONG! Okay, you'd have the quiet, subdued part right for two of them. Still. They are forces to be reckoned with.

The most obvious beginning - my mom - is probably the quietest sister. As an oldest child myself (certainly NOT the quietest sibling!), I think that still surprises me. She has an older brother but is the oldest girl. Mom's an artist (see her web page for a glimpse of her work), making herself heard through her work, I guess. But quiet as she seems, she's always spoken volumes. There's a pool of wisdom and experience that wells up for those she knows and loves. It comes out at the most unexpected times, giving perspective when it's desperately needed. She simply steps in, too, when needed. My mom is one of the most giving people I know. I think her generosity tends to be majorly under-appreciated. By me. And others. But her talent isn't overlooked. Seriously - go check out her work. She's phenomenal.

The baby sister is my sister-aunt. She was eleven when I was born and I've had a sister affinity with her since I gave birth to my first child. Of all the siblings in her family, she's probably the most bubbly and empathetic. I was about to say the most talkative, but I think my other aunt would give her a run for her money. Don't get me wrong - neither one would win prizes for running their mouths, as all are pretty quiet. Maybe not quiet so much as considerate. We all know people who won't shut up, right? Won't allow a word in edgewise or care about who and what you are, only wanting to talk about themselves? This is SOOO not my mom and aunts. The baby aunt just happens to be the most effervescent! And closest in age to me. So I think of her as the big sister I never had. And as the oldest cousin, I see it as my job to give her kids a hard time every time I see them, keeping them on their toes. Breaking that whole nice girl mold the women in the family have going on.

Then there's the middle aunt, the one who was just a few hours drive when we lived in Florida. She was grandma to my kids their entire lives, and her husband made a great grandpa. I'm hoping that experience will make real grandparent-hood easier for them. She was also a fantastic aunt when I was growing up, doing things like taking my sister to the Grand Canyon, sending my little brother to Space Camp. She wins the gold medal for effort and energy, and the platinum for love and resilience. This aunt has simply been there for me. She remembers all the little things. She's the master of the detail. And I just don't have words for how much she means to me. Oh, and it's been my job to give her daughter ALL KINDS of grief over the years. The ties that bind. :)

Maybe tomorrow I'll write about my grandmother, the only child who raised these three special women, an incredible woman in her own right. Until then, hats off to Mom, Resa and May Anne!

Until I write again ...

Flea