When I’m Sixty-Four

When I get older, losing my hair, many years from now,

Will you still be sending me a valentine, birthday greetings, bottle of wine?

If I'd been out 'til quarter to three, would you lock the door?

Will you still need me, will you still feed me when I'm sixty-four?

When my dad called and said it was a girl I was devastated. There was no way I was having a sister. I didn’t want her. I begged them to take her back. Where was the brother they promised? My mamaw was staying with me and I remember she rocked me and told me it would be okay. They named the thing Judi and she told me that I would like Judi once they brought her home. As usual, she was right.

I was still mad when they came home but when they walked in with that tiny bundle I started to get over it pretty quick. What an anomaly! It was a tiny little person! It had little feet and hands and tiny fingers and toes on those miniature appendages! It cried, and loudly. And it didn’t smell very good.

She was always a tiny girl. She’s now tall and skinny. I wasn’t a tiny girl and still am not. And I’m not tall either. She has perfectly straight hair. Mine is naturally curly and I have to go to a lot of trouble to make it straight. Her hair and her eyes are brown. I looked like my parents with green eyes and dark hair. I’m pretty sure I told her more than once she was adopted.

When she was pretty young, maybe around two, she had to be in the hospital. Someone, either grandmother or my mom, or both, had read to us. She memorized the books and all the people in the hospital thought she was so smart because she could read at such a young age.

I remember one set of class pictures. First of all, neither of us were beauties because my mom had cut our bangs. When that happened, you often ended up with a half inch or so fringe at the top of your forehead because she would try to even things up and end up cutting all your bangs off. We had our hair rolled and curled. Mine would last ‘til the next washing. Judi’s fell out after a couple of hours. We had new hot pink dresses with white collars. We thought we looked pretty good despite the bad hair day. When we got the pictures back though, poor Judi had a little extra on her nose. Well, under to be exact. Of course, I found it hilarious! But really we should have all been outraged. Those teachers and picture people look at you, or should, before the ‘portrait’. Thank goodness there were no yearbooks at that time! But I know those pictures are still floating around somewhere!

When we stayed at grandmother’s house in the summer we had to help do the dishes. It never failed that as soon as we ate poor little Judi got a stomach ache or some such illness so she didn’t have to help. I had to help with the dishes regardless. She’d be playing and I swear she’d look at me with a grin like she’d won. And she had. She stands by that story today!

I could tell lots more stuff because I am the big sister and I know. And I’m mean like that. But I won’t. I can tell you though, that over the years Judi and I have become friends. There’s nobody dearer to me and I’d do anything for her.

Here we are and she has bangs!

Today is Judi’s birthday. And it might be a big one! But I’ll never tell. Well, maybe not. If I told how old she is she might tell how old I am! So happy birthday dear Judi! And when I’m sixty-four and you’re only…you may have your chance to get even for all those things I had to do as the elder sibling. Just don’t forget to feed me and don’t forget to need me. I’m smiling because you’re my sister. And I’m laughing because there is not a thing you can do about it!

I could be handy, mending a fuse when your lights have gone.

You can knit a sweater by the fireside, Sunday mornings, go for a ride.

Doing the garden, digging the weeds, who could ask for more?

Will you still need me, will you still feed me when I'm sixty-four?

Knitayear is winding down. Now I’m wondering what I’ll do in its place, if anything! I will keep blogging. And I will keep knitting.

Birthday knitting for a friend. Blocking.

Close up of same.

Day 354, March 20, and I’m still recovering. Why do I feel the need to sit when all I’ve done is sit? It’s different when you can stretch out or move around I guess. Alan has to go back to Houston tomorrow. Yucko! I have to get a haircut so I didn’t offer to go with him! Ha ha. First things first I guess. I chose variegated turquoise cotton for the day. Day 355, Monday, March 21, is just another Monday. I will be adding some new job duties to what I already do. Funding issues for education have everyone nervous and just plain scared. I do get that haircut and feel so much better. I met a friend for Thai food. All in all it was a good day. Rosie was on the bed with me so I got to sleep until 3:45 before they wanted out. I picked a green and purple feather yarn. Day 356 is my sister’s birthday! It’s March 22 and she was born on this day 49, 50, several years ago! I hope she has a good day. It’s her turn! I choose a turquoise boucle for the day. Sometimes I imagine us in some kind of Golden Girls scenario. I wonder if we could do it? Sure we could, as long as she stays on her side of the house!

You'll be older too.

Ah, and if you say the word, I could stay with you.

Will you still need me, will you still feed me when I'm sixty-four?