Just a few days ago, we had record-breaking January temperatures in an already record-breaking weather year.
The almost balmy 61°F of Tuesday turned to ice on Wednesday and brought the brand of biting snow that bends one’s head forward and nips into one’s cheeks and nose and ears: the kind of cold that stays in one’s bones long after coming inside. It is 6°F this evening.
Heading out to my car tonight, I thought of all the cold winters my sister and I walked back and forth to school, bundled up and holding hands. I was leaving the hospital where she is recovering from a complicated surgery. I was wishing she was with me, holding my hand, instead of in a hospital bed and I thought of the cold December morning, just after Christmas, when we both had our tonsils taken out. We were so very young and it was so very long ago.
We spent the night before in the hospital, she in a ward, me in a double room, our parents fretting as they left us because we weren’t in the same room together. Dottie snuck into my room. She had never slept in such a big room without me before. I took her back to her bed, after a while. I’m sure we both slept that night, but I don’t remember.
I do remember being wheeled out of my room the next morning. Ma and Daddy standing against the wall, kissing me, scared as parents are in such situations. I got to go first. I was scared but stubbornly stoic; the Spartan in me. Was Dottie standing nearby or on a gurney herself? I don’t remember. I just remember Daddy saying “Dottie, see Penny? You be brave like her.”
I didn’t want to be brave. I wanted to cry. I wanted the cart to turn around. I wanted to go home where I felt safe. I didn’t want to be brave.
Before Dottie went into surgery on Wednesday, I took my turn before she was wheeled away. Between the tears I struggled to hold in, I kissed her, I told her I loved her, and I told her to be brave, just like when we had our tonsils out. Such silly things are sometimes said when we are worried or scared.
Dottie was brave, very brave. Now she is starting a healing process that will take a long time, but she will heal, for my little sister Dottie is strong, and she is brave. Very, very brave.
What a moving post, Penny. I have some tears welling up as I read this, for I know how precious a sister is. What a sweet instinct on your part to remind her of that other time, when you both came through just fine. You and your sister will keep holding hands, across the cold and warm spaces that drift between you. She will feel your loving holding and it will help her to heal. Blessings to you at this tender time.
LikeLike
Thank you, Juliet. She improves each day.
LikeLike
Good Morning Penny:
So happy that Dotties surgery is over and she us on the road to mend. Bless the two
of you and the special relationship you
have shared. One again Penny a very heartfelt story.
LikeLike
How nice to see your comment, Mary Anne. Hope all is well with you.
Thank you so much.
LikeLike
Oh, sweet heart, I am shedding a few tears for you and your dear sister. Sisters are such special people, aren’t they? I love your description of the two of you braving the cold together on your way to school. Your description of the hospital room and your parents is so vivid I can easily imagine the scene. Blessings to you and Dottie, best thoughts and prayers for her speedy recovery
We have – 26 as I write this, not windchill, the actual temp. 😦
LikeLike
They are special people, indeed, Teresa, and your kind thoughts and prayers are appreciated.
Brrrr! I won’t complain about single digits here.
LikeLike
Beautifully written, very touching.
LikeLike
Thank you, Jennifer.
LikeLike
Dear Penny, this is such a touching and lovely tribute to sisterhood. It seems, to me, to encapsulate the love between you and your sister, Dottie. A love that stretches far back into your childhood and far forward into the future in which the two of you will celebrate her renewed health.
Thank you for sharing these memories that come to you as you feel the deep down concern within for your sister. My little brother–he was three years and four weeks younger than I–and I had our tonsils removed at the same time also. I can remember being chagrined because he was so perky afterward and the “doting” nurses gave him ice cream (he was only four or five) while I was sick and couldn’t eat anything!!!! I, of course, blamed it all on him! Peace.
LikeLike
That is such a tender thing to say, Dee, and so like you. Thank you.
I had to smile a bit at your little brother being “three years and four weeks younger than I”. Those months and days are precise in childhood time, aren’t they? My sister is two years and five months, Cousin Ted was 26 days; always and forever we are described as 26 days apart. How interesting that you had yours removed at the same time too, as did Tom and his sister. I always figured my folks got a discount on doing us both at the same time.
LikeLike
So special to have a sister. I wish yours all the very best and know that your love will help her infinitely. Axxx
LikeLike
It is a special thing to have a sister, Annie. Thank you.
LikeLike
Wishing a speedy recovery to your little sister. I would think the reminder of the childhood surgery was the perfect thing to say to her right then. I am glad for both of you that you could be there this time too.
LikeLike
I appreciate that, Sallie. Thank you.
LikeLike
You are the special medicine your dear sister needs now and I know you will give it with joy. Blessings to you both during this time.
LikeLike
Thank you, Marilyn. I appreciate it.
LikeLike
I hope Dottie gets to read this post someday so she can see what a loving sister you are. Beautiful, touching, right from the heart. I wish the best for both of you. Speedy recovery to Dottie…
LikeLike
Thank you, Sharon. I just want her to heal – and she will. I appreciate your words.
LikeLike
What a beautiful post, I have a real lump in my throat. I loved hearing your memories of your operations and how you supported each other. And now you’re supporting her again. I wish her a speedy recovery.
LikeLike
I appreciate your kind words, Cath, and know she will soon heal.
LikeLike
This post brought tears to my eyes. I know how close you and Dottie are. I know you two have been through good times and grief together. My prayers continue to be with you both and, in fact, with both of your families. I know that as you grow up, sisters can be worst enemies in one minute and loyal best friends the next. That is how sisters become so close. You have seen the best and worst of each other and each loves the other. I wish her a quick recovery and you some peace and freedom from concern.
LikeLike
Spoken like someone who is a sister. Thank you Janet.
LikeLike
Such a touching post. It brought tears to my eyes, Penny. I hope she will be alright.
LikeLike
She is slowly healing, Nan. Thank you very much.
LikeLike
How lucky that you two have each other. Heartfelt wishes for Dottie’s recovery. And please, do take care of yourself as well.
LikeLike
Thank you, Belle, and we are, indeed, lucky.
LikeLike
Oh, Penny, sending love and hugs, and most of all, prayers out to you both in spades. Having someone close to you go through such things is very, very hard,and helping them through convalescence a labour of love. May Dottie make a strong recovery and the love your bear each other bring you through. xx
LikeLike
Thank you, Kate. She is healing well and looking toward better days.
LikeLike
I hope Dottie’s healing is going well. Having you as her sister will help her. I wish you both well Penny. Take care. Jx
LikeLike
Janice, how nice to see your comment. I hope you are bearing up with all that you are dealing with. You take care as well.
LikeLike
Penny I think it’s often worse when it’s some one we love than when it’s ourself. I’m so glad Dottie has come safely through the surgery and I send my prayers and very best wishes for her recovery. Sisters are very special.
LikeLike
How true that is, Perpetua. Now, the healing process begins and I am confident it will progress well. Sisters are special, I couldn’t agree more. Thank you.
LikeLike
What a special and loving post. Prayers and best wishes to both you and your sister, Penny.
LikeLike
I thank you, Karen, and will hold those thoughts close today.
LikeLike
What a loving sister you are and how lucky Dottie is to have you. Prayers and heartfelt wishes for her complete recovery.
LikeLike
It goes both ways, Joyce, and I really appreciate your kind wishes and prayers.
LikeLike
Such a gripping story, I recall the days growing up in Ohio when my brother and I had to walk in the cold and snow about 2 miles to school. He was younger than me by two school years and although we fought one another like banshees, I always was very protective of him back then.
Hope all goes well for your sister and that the recovery is not so hard.
LikeLike
She is on the road to recovery, stronger each day. Thank you, Lou.
Isn’t it universally true that siblings can, as you say, fight like “banshees” one moment, yet be protective the next? We only six and one half (the one half is important) blocks that seemed to go on forever in the cold and wind. I can’t imagine two miles. Brrrr!
LikeLike
Ah, a lovely tale of sisterly love. I hope your sister’s recovery will be swift and complete.
Remembering the olden days, days of innocence and wonder, fear and confusion in the face of the big unknown world, it must have been good to have a little fighter by your side, someone you could trust. You may be grown up ladies now but I am sure the same bond still exists between you.
LikeLike
Thank you, Friko. She grows stronger each day in her healing process.
It WAS good to have a little fighter by my side. I can remember like it was yesterday the day we walked to school, bickering about something as sisters are wont to do. A friend of hers made a comment about me, to which my dear sister quickly cut her down to size, saying “that is MY sister, don’t talk that way”. Olden times; all of what you describe.
LikeLike
Oh Penny, I am so sorry that I didn’t read this sooner, but so glad I did tonight! To be very honest, you weren’t in my Reader…and yet your post tonight was and you referenced a previous Kate Greenaway illustration and I knew I’d missed a post! I am so sorry to hear that your precious sister needed a complicated surgery. I can only imagine how emotional this has been for all of you. I’m thankful that the surgery went well, and I know you will be there with her through the long recovery. I loved the stories you shared about your sweet relationship. I have one brother, and although we were close as children, I watch the relationship between Sophia and Karina, two sisters, and I see something entirely different. I am just feeing what you two must have experienced last week before she went into surgery. Do keep us posted. It may be hard for Dottie to really understand, but her sister’s blogging community cares about her recovering quickly and well! 🙂 oxo
LikeLike
Don’t be sorry, Debra. I’m pleased to see your comment now. Sibling relationships are always there, no matter the gender, but, there is a unique bond between sisters, which you are seeing between Sophia and Karina now. What fun you will have observing them (and not having to sometimes be referee). I’ve appreciated everyone’s concern and comments and am relieved to say she is progressing quite well. Thank you, Debra.
LikeLike
This heartfelt post brought tears to my eyes. It also reminded me that I thought of you as I watched the movie “300” on Friday night – and what an unlikely (on the surface) Spartan you are! But the more I think of it, the more I can see the Spartan side of you, which I am sure is also in your sister and will help you both through this difficult time.
LikeLike
Oh, Janet, what a compliment! Thank you. As you may know, we were often reminded that we were of Spartan ancestry and needed to be strong. My sister has been very brave through this, indeed. Again. Thank you.
LikeLike