After going thru all the court records that I have currently in my possession, I decided to move from outline to timeline. Made so much sense after I started jotting down my notes, and I'm so glad I did. I came up with 3, single-spaced pages w/ helpful words that will fill the lines in my upcoming chapters! How exciting!
But, not nearly as exciting as when I got this really big box in the mail -- yesterday -- from Robin, my big twin sister! As always, I had to clean the house first while she waited for me to call her and tell her about my experience. She waited very patiently, I might add, as it took me several hours to clean the house. (See, that's my way of preparing to sit down in solitude so I can gleefully reveal what's inside, the mystery awaiting my full attention.)
As I opened it, I said out loud, "Oh boy! This is just like Christmas!" Funny how twins are. I opened up the 4 flaps that covered the top like a lid and the first thing I saw was an adorable note that made me laugh, and I got teary-eyed. It said, "Hi honey! Merry Christmas! Have a great day! Eat merrily :) Sing, pray, love, joy... xoxo Call me, we'll do lunch hee hee R1 (the 1 is in superscript position; albeit, I think she always placed the number in the subscript spot to indicate she is the 1st of 2...Brain fog. Can't remember)."
In that package, I found so many wonderful, fun things. She is innovative and sweet and giving (though she has nothing to give) and for all these reasons, I can't help but feel touched -- in a way that is indescribable.
In brief, amongst the tokens of love, were tons of letters, notes, old newspapers and clippings, memories sent to me so I can successfully complete my memoir. After all, I'm writing the book about us and much of it is in her honor.
As I continue to scribble onto the pages my thoughts from my past, from 25 years ago, I realize there is no way for me to recreate the events exactly as they occurred, however, it's blessings like this that I know are going to make it as real and final as it possibly could ever be.
(From a college course called The Loving Relationship, I discovered a copy of a paper I wrote and dedicated to my soul mate, my twin, hidden at the bottom of a stack of cards and mementos):
To you, Robin, I say:
It is not merely myself that I promise to you without condition and without limit but it is a whole environment in which the two of us will become happier and happier that I offer to you....(Loving Relationships, by Robert Shelton, p. 47)."
Robin lives more than 1000 miles away from me. I miss you, Robin.
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4 peanuts say:
That sounds like I felt when I got boxes of genealogical material from my grandmother, before she became too old to tell me about it
As I go thru the process of writing my life story, it's exhilarating (sp?) to hear from other memoirists. But, to hear from a published best-selling author/memoirist is outstanding. Especially knowing you share my sentiments, John R. I'll be posting about you and your book soon as well. :)
That box sounds like such a treasure trove, your sis was sweet to send it to you.
Thanks so much for the nice comment on my blog. The poem was not in the league of Longfellow, obviously, but I felt a whole lot better after I wrote and posted it! Writing is great thearpy, as you know!
I was wondering if you are gonna join in this years NaNoWriMo? It's a great way to force yourself to set aside time for writing, and is a bunch of fun if you don't accidently drive yourself crazy in the process! LOL
I'm so happy for you, Rhonda. You are lucky to have your sister, and she's lucky to have you. And how great that all that stuff was saved and you have access to it today. Considering your life and that of your siblings, it could easily have gotten lost over the years. Hugs to you!
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