We Thought We Were All That

Photo courtesy of Dad

Something about this picture led my sister to conclude that she is, and has always been, cool, whereas I lack, and have always lacked, that aura of authentic coolness.  She compared me to Sandy in the movie "Grease".  In her opinion, the transformed Sandy at the end of the movie is merely trying to be cool.  She's fake-cool.  As am I.

I don't pretend to understand how my sister's mind works.

Of course, as soon as my sister brought up "Grease" my mind went off on its own tangent.

My sister, Auntie P and I were all tween-agers when the movie was released.  It obviously captured our imaginations, and we often performed musical numbers from the movie when we got together.  From time to time we even made our parents sit though our performances.  (Proof indeed that our parents love us!)

Photo courtesy of Dad
Auntie P on the left, me on the right, and my sister in the middle.

Rehearsals for these performances usually took place in my grandparents' basement.  Not only was it suitably removed from the rest of the family, it had the added benefit of stage props.

First was a two-level coffee table.  Perfect for performances of Greased Lightin'.  My sister would take the top level as Danny Zuko, while Auntie P and I flanked her on the lower levels.

As Auntie P puts it, "Your sister was lead singer and, of course, we were backup.  She took charge and somehow you and I were never coordinated to her liking."

Yup.

Also in my grandparents' basement was a metal, floor-to-ceiling pole.  In reality,  it was there to support the upper storeys.  To the three of us, it was our dance partner for the slow numbers.   We were all, in turn, hopelessly devoted to that post. 

Scenes from musicals weren't the only things getting re-enacted at my grandparents' place.  On seeing the photo above, Auntie P flashed back to my sister's most-memorable recreation of this Brooke Shields' Calvin Klein ad.

Photo "borrowed' from random website

The three of us had been roller skating. My sister and the boy she was couples-skating with wiped out.  The fall may have stressed her denim, because later that day, when she attempted the pose above, her jeans experienced a complete structural failure.  

Auntie P and I still laugh ourselves to tears over that memory.  My parents, grandparents and possibly other family members gathered in my grandparents' living room. My sister, on the floor, arguing that anyone could pose like Brooke, then throwing her legs over her head to prove her point and RIP!  The ass of her pants explodes. My sister still remembers that her entire right butt cheek came through the hole.  At least, as she says, it happened at Gramma's and not at the roller rink.  

In the words of Auntie P, "The three of us had many years of fun, laughter and tears as we navigated our youth like sisters."

Thanks to my sister and Auntie P for helping me with today's post. I had so much fun reliving these memories with you. 

(*Note:  I don't get anything for the links above.  They're there for your information.  Hope you find them useful.)

  

Special Guests

Here she is, by popular demand, Auntie P's African doll!  

Auntie P was kind enough to share some of the doll's history.

I am the last of 7 children and when I was quite young (I think about grade 5) my 3rd oldest sibling went to Africa for a year with her spouse.  His mother had been working in Africa for years assisting women in that country.  (Amazing woman).  

Of  course when my sister went, it was before the days of internet and we had to wait patiently for "air mail" to come in order to check on her well being.  I don't even think my kids know what air mail is.  Anyway, I remember one air mail package arrived and it had fabric  to make my dad a shirt and also my doll.  I was so excited and proudly took her to school for show and tell.   

This doll was made by the group of women my brother in law's mother was working with.  She was made to show the traditional dress of the women and how they carried their children.  You can see the tiny baby in the picture.   

This doll is really a treasure and I appreciate the chance to share her story.

As Auntie P says, she has several siblings, which means I have lots of aunts, and uncles, and cousins.  Which makes it pretty darned amazing that everyone got gifts when her sister and brother-in-law, my Aunt B and Uncle H, returned from Africa.  I can't imagine what they'd be charged in extra-luggage fees if they attempted that today.

What's even more incredible is how many of these gifts are still around.  Auntie P still has her doll.  My parents still have their wooden hippo and rhino.  I have my rhino wall hanging.  I'm sure there are other gifts from my aunt and uncle's adventure in households throughout the country.  I'm not exaggerating.  There are that many of us.

Though I do wonder what happened to my grandfather's shirt.

Photo courtesy of Dad

Photo courtesy of Dad

Thanks Auntie P for sharing.  It was wonderful to see this doll again.  I'm glad she's around to keep Mrs Beasley company.