Siblings

I never really understood the whole sibling dynamic.

I have one sister (the best sister the world has ever known) and she is almost six years older than me.  She did nothing but dote on me as a child and support me as an adult.  We never fought like siblings.  We never competed against each other like siblings.  I have idolized her and she has adored me.  End of story. 

I was so envious of Kourtney and Katie when we were little.  We'd play up a storm all day and eventually I'd have to leave.  I'd walk home and they'd still be furiously playing.  I couldn't imagine what it was like to have a sibling who was also a playmate. 

Now, I watch Sam and Matilda in awe.  They always have a friend available.  What an amazing gift!  They can bug each other, and they can try to avoid each other, but give them a few hours apart and they are wondering how the other is doing.  They play really complicated games that I don't understand.  I can hear them downstairs at this very moment.  For a while they couldn't touch the floor, which I understand, but then the rules changed and if they FELL on the floor it was okay but if they STEPPED on the floor they were out.  What is the difference?  That then evolved into some sort of Bug Squad game ("Pretend I defeated the wasp!"  "Okay!  And pretend my hive is over there!").  Now Sam is making Matilda ask him for his autograph.  All I know is they are able to disappear for hours on end and laugh until they both get the hiccups. 

Sam and Matilda, you are the two coolest people I know.  Stick together. 

Pierced Ears

I have begged Matilda to pierce her ears for years.

She'd ask: "Does it hurt?"

I'd tell the truth. "Yes, for a little while. Then the hurt goes away."

"NO," Matilda would say.

We had this conversation 100 times. Last Friday we were at the mall.  Out of nowhere, she tugged on my arm. "I want to pierce my ears," she said.

"Right now? " I asked.  "Because we can do it right now."

Matilda looked afraid and hunched her shoulders. "Yes," she said. "I want to do it now."

We walked down to Claire's. I tried to call Eric (because I would KILL HIM for doing this without talking to me) but he didn't answer.

I spoke with the piercer at Claire's.  She kept trying to talk to Matilda,  who just shook and nodded. I could tell the piercer was unsure.

"Matilda, do you want your ears pierced?" I asked. "This is your choice."

"Yes," she said, still shaking with her hands in little fists.

She chose the second - worst pair. The worst were Hello Kitty.  She got sparkly pink hearts.

She was angry as it was done - it hurt! Then she saw herself in the mirror and couldn't stop smiling.

After, I asked her what made her suddenly want it done. "I just wanted to get it over with," she replied happily.