You Know You're Old When...
Wed., April 2, 12:56 PM
The surest sign that you’re getting old is when you can remember something that no one else in the world can remember. There are an aunt and a couple of cousins who might remember the date, but I know it wasn’t as important to them.
I was sure I had written about this before, but all I find is a passing mention about washing the floor. Nevertheless, it is a very clear memory, renewed each year as I recall it. I was very little, certainly not old enough for kindergarten.
I got up that morning, and my mother wasn’t there. My grandmother followed me into the bathroom — she was so excited — and told me I had a new little brother. I was completely unimpressed.
For the next two weeks, Gramma took care of me during the day. When Daddy got home from work, he gave me my supper and put me to bed. (Now that I think about it, he worked two jobs in those days; he must have taken vacation or something then.) He was so easygoing, but I couldn’t get away with much. If I didn’t want to eat what there was, he offered me the option of going to bed without supper. However, when he washed my face, he never got soap in my eyes.
Eventually Daddy brought Mommy home, with this bundle of baby. He was funny-looking; I don’t have any pictures of him from then, but I know that Sister has some. Of the four of us, Gramma, Daddy, Mommy, and me, only I am left; that’s what I mean about feeling old.
I was so angry that they were going to put him in my crib. Never mind that they had bought me a brand new bed; that was my crib. I told them he could sleep in the baby carriage.
Of course, as he grew up, he and I were buddies most of the time, though he was the worst tease. I think I held onto those memories mostly to keep in mind that you cannot underestimate little kids. That was lot of surprise to spring on a little girl who had been an only child, and I was very careful not to do the same to my own kids.
In any case, I won’t divulge the year, in case he’s still sensitive about it, but I will say:
I figure his kids can enjoy that.
