When I was 10 years old there were, and always had been, 4 kids in our family - 16, 14, 12 and me - firmly fixed in the spoilt brat position in the family. This worked well for me and I had no desire to see any changes to the family format. Then along came Yeh-Yeh.
I've got to say it started off very well. I enjoyed dressing her up and pushing the pram down the main street pretending she was mine. (In my mind the passers-by were thinking 'gosh what a confident, kind young mum that is' not 'Jesus what is the world coming to'). I'm not sure when things began to turn sour but I do vividly recall pouring a teapot of hot tea over her bare legs when she was about 5. I also recall the panic rising in my chest when I realised what I'd done and made her swear she would tell Mum it was an accident. Yep, I was THAT nice. Yeh Yeh lived in terror for the next 8 years or so until I moved away to university and mellowed out a little. It's a testiment to her nature that we are such good friends now.
My mum and Yeh Yeh enjoy a closer than most mother \ daughter relationship. Mum isn't a great one for sentiment but on Yeh Yeh's 21st birthday she gave her a card that made her eyes well up with tears. 'Aw Mum - am I really the best little miracle you ever had?' she asked. Mum looked confused, put her glasses on and looked at the card - 'No no no' she said - 'it says mistake. Best little mistake I ever had'. Wouldn't want to get carried away there Mum.
I also remember Mum going around town telling her friends her daughter was a slut. She'd been cleaning Yeh Yehs bedroom and couldn't believe the mess, then got her words confused and used slut instead of filthy. I'm pretty sure that's why she started getting all those late night phone calls...
Yeh Yeh is the most generous, lovely person I know. Despite being 10 years younger than me she is constantly bailing me out financially and giving me things I can't afford to buy myself. She doesn't have kids yet but is the best Aunty any kid could wish for. Almost every week she'll pop in with gifts for my lot or pack them all in her car for a day trip out. And not once have they come back with tea stains on their legs.
Love you Yeh Yeh. Happy Birthday. x
Where would we be without our sisters? My little sister is 11 years younger, with noone in between, so that post really rang true. What a lovely way to honour her. x
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! I laughed all the way through. I wasn't blessed with a sister but they sound like fun. Happy birthday Yeh Yeh xx
ReplyDeleteSome of that sounded like me and my 'little' brother - mostly the stuff about living in terror. We're friends now though, thankfully.
ReplyDeleteAw that's lovely! The tea bit did remind me of me and my little bro. He says I threatened to kill him more than once as a child. Beautifully written post, thanks for the giggles!
ReplyDeleteI was the youngest sister of three in our family...a late in life pre-vasectomy "miracle/mistake". I was adored/hated by my sisters in equal measure. Wouldn't have had it any other way!
ReplyDeleteI think you're doing very well if you get on that well despite having poured hot tea over her. I presume that kind of thing has stopped now, Kate.
ReplyDeleteOnly just seen this post Kate. Can't wait to see what you write about Siobhan when it's her birthday!!
ReplyDeleteWell she has plenty of time to sway the description!
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