Just the Two of Us

Something happened in Mexico that hadn't happened since 1967. I got to spend some time alone with my older sister. I went into the Army in January of 1968 and our lives took different directions. We've seen one another infrequently in the years since.

One afternoon in Mexico we worked together on favors for the wedding reception and then walked to a restaurant for lunch. I enjoyed that time with her.


At the wedding reception. Left to right: Me, Gale and Jean. (Larger version)

She's about two years younger than me so I can't remember a time without her. I have several memories from the time when we were young. Most are good and a few are bad. I must admit I was the villan in the bad memories.


Jean and I before Gale was born. This photo was taken on an Easter morning. (Larger version)

I call her Jean but that's not her name. I was surprised when I was about five years old to learn her name. I asked my Mother why we called her Jean and learned that I couldn't pronounce her name when she was born and distorted it into Jean. The name stuck and the entire family began calling her by that name.


Left to right: Me, Gale, Jean and Kay, a cousin. (Larger version)

I jokingly referred to her as The High Maintenance Sister in a previous post but I could have called her The Success. She finished college years before me, authored a Spanish textbook, changed careers to a field in which I would be a dismal failure and has managed her money in such a way to make me look like a pauper.

I'm glad just the two of us got to spend time together and that life gave us the opportunity to reconnect. I hope we can arrange more times together. I would enjoy that.


Christmas morning 1956. (Larger version)