As is the case with most teenage sisters Karen & I would borrow each others clothes on a regular basis. I use the word "borrow" loosely as it implies we actually gave one another permission! For the record, both parties were guilty of this same relatively harmless crime. However, since we went to different high schools, with Karen typically leaving the house first and getting home last, I had a HUGE advantage in the stealthful game I'm about to reveal.
Upon Karen's morning departure I would sneak into her closet to review my options for the day ... sifting through the myriad of shirts, riffling through stacks of sweaters and continually being disappointed I was too short for her pants. As the day went on I would delight in my clandestine accomplishment as friends commented on liking my "new blouse". After getting home from school I'd fly upstairs to change clothes hoping I didn't leave evidence of my misdeed behind ... like a stain from lunch or something incriminating left in a pocket. This game went on for years until Karen left for college. Imagine my disappointment when she took ALL her clothes with her!
It's now 3+ decades later and I still occasionally have dreams where I'm standing in her closet reviewing which item to filch that day and worrying if I'll get caught!
I remember how much fun Karen and I used to have playing "drive-up bank teller". There was a window in our family room that opened up to the garage. One of us would sit inside playing the role of bank teller. The other would ride our bike up to the drive-up window playing the role of bank customer. We played endless rounds of the deposit/withdrawal game using monopoly money ... which worked perfectly! Then we would switch roles back and forth until we got bored (which was typically an hour tops).
Hooked on phonics in the afternoons over "coffee"
Rescuing bunnies and kitties at the house on 450 N
Ice skating practice and competitions
Christmas decorating
My baptism
Spring breaks in Florida
Summer by the pool
My tennis matches in high school
Mom's day at Purdue
My 21st birthday
Getting to know you as a friend, not just my mother
And so many more..
(The last one didn't last long enough, and I wish everyday that we could've had more time).
You are greatly missed, and forever in my heart.
