Being the youngest, I bounced back and forth between living as an only child when my siblings were off at boarding school, and living in a rowdy pack of five during the summer and Christmas holidays.
Anyone who is the youngest in a family knows what it is to feel not old enough, or cool enough to be able to go on an adventure with the big kids. It seems to take a long time for ranks to even-out, especially when you leave the family at sixteen. It took a number of years to find myself...and a number more to discover that life had to be processed back at the family table.
Middle-age is the great equalizer.
Nearly four years ago, my two eldest sisters sent me a roundtrip ticket to Toronto as a birthday gift. During that visit with them and my parents, there was a magic day I'll never forget. We three sisters went for an adventure in Claireville Park, very close to the YYZ airport. We talked as we walked through the woods in autumn, kicking yellow leaves and pointing out the different birds to each other. Then they led me to their special place in the park.
Two straight rows of evergreens had been planted, one each side of the trail. As the trees grew taller their branches began to meet and make a welcoming, living, magic tunnel. Both sisters watched, smiling, as I began to understand their gift. In silence we watched the way shadow and light played through the trees and on each other's faces, as we slowly passed through.
My sisters tell me that they always see me when they walk in Claireville now. I love to think of them there. If I look at this photo my sister B. took, I can see them and feel closer than we've ever been, despite the miles.
Photo © 2002 B. Glancey
5 comments:
You have two wonderful sisters! I am pleased for them and you. They are very lucky to be part of your life...
Well I was the oldest of four and I'm the one that is far away from the rest. They are all back in Michigan. I can certainly understand your feelings.
I'm the nomad, having left home at 18 and then spent the next 20 years in the USAF then ending up here.
On both of my recent trips to Ontario, my Dad, me and my siblings were able to meet up, both there in Canada and in Michigan. We all have such an awesome time when we can get together.
VW
As an only child I am so envious of you having siblings, Lorraine! You've someone to share memories with--both good and bad. Thank you for sharing your sisters with me.
What a terrific post. I love the pic--it reminds me of this magical tree area in Kauai that is like a tunnel. Tunnel of Love!
So vhuwhu...next time you go to Ontario...can you fit me in the suitcase?
I want you all to know that the photo is a magic one. Look at the light at tunnel's end...see that it forms the shape of a heart? Now, think of anyone you love who's far away and put them in that heart...so you can visit too!
Stephanie, you may not have siblings...but you've got a deeply-rooted family...something us windblown spores dream about!
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