Funny how events can spark memories of your childhood. Over the past couple of days, I have done nothing but relive old memories. From getting in trouble for swimming at the Pump House, to being run over by a 10 speed because I couldn't leave boys alone - I was quite a handful for my parents. But I am sure they loved every minute of it!
One memory that is simply crazy to me is the time I contracted Head Lice.
I was in 5th grade. I had to ride the bus to and from school. No biggie! The bus also had kids that went to another school further downtown. It seemed like I was the only one on my street that got off at the first school - I really didn't like it at all.
At any rate, one day the nurse's office called my mom at work to tell her I had head lice. Mom left work, picked me up and took me to the doctor's. Yep, I definitely had lice. Off we went to the pharmacy to get the nasty shampoo and then home where, for 2 days, Mom constantly washed my hair and sat there with the crazy fine comb, pulling the dead lice out of my head. She also used our Filter Queen vacuum on my head. Apparently it's suction was 'amazing'! lol
Finally, mom took me back to the doctor's and we got the "all clear" and I could go back to school. Off I went...
Less than 48 hours later, mom got another call that my head was packed right full of lice again! She was MAD! Good Lord she was mad. I thought she was mad at me, but that wasn't the case. She was yelling that she was going to clean me up again and I was switching schools and she didn't care what the boundaries were for which schools and what areas! I don't think I had ever seen my mom so angry!
We didn't stop at the pharmacy this time on the way home. Instead, mom went into a hardware store and came out with a brown paper bag. I thought she had to pick something up for my dad so I didn't ask any questions. We got home and mom told me to go down to the bathroom.
I was waiting patiently, when mom came in with a face cloth. She soaked it in cold water, rang it out and then handed it to me. She said: "Here. Put this over your face and no matter what do not pull it off". I did and next thing I knew, my was spraying my head with her hairspray! I didn't know what the heck she was doing, and every time I tried to ask her she told me to hold still and breath in the face cloth.
She was finally done and told me to go out in the living room and to not move from one seat. I did. I must have sat there for a good 3 hours. Mom brought out the vacuum cleaner again and had me sit on the floor in front of her. When she started vacuuming my hair, there was this crazy sound. I couldn't explain it at the time, but now I would say it sounded like she was vacuuming cake sprinkles out of my hair. We sat like this for probably a good half hour or more, then mom sent me in to shower with the nasty shampoo from the last time.
She checked my hair that night before I went to bed and then took me back to the doctor's the next day. The doctor was amazed at how quickly mom got rid of the lice. Said he never knew it could be done and asked what mom did. To my horror mom answered: "I bought a can of raid, sprayed her head then vacuumed them all out".
RAID!!!!!!!!!!!!! ON MY HEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The doctor about had a fit and told mom she was lucky that my hair didn't all fall out, to never grow back, or worse that I might have ingested it. She calmly explained to him what she had me do and it solved the problem, my hair is fine, so no worries. LOL
The doctor gave me the 'all clear' again but instead of going back to my school, mom took me to the school that all my neighborhood friends went to! From that day on, head lice has never bothered me. They must have heard their buddy lice screaming in pain from my head and have decided to never bother me again!
Haha!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
The Fabric of Our Lives
Where to begin?
The past two days have been slightly insane for me. So much so, that I decided it was time to sit down and actually write in my blog. It seems like forever since my last post - and yet nothing much had changed... until yesterday.
I guess a little bit of the back-story is necessary in order for you to understand, so I will start with high school.
When I was in high school, circumstances brought me to the realization that I have an older sister. She is my dad's daughter, one he wanted but was unable to keep. (There is a lot of information concerning this - but it is not my story to tell.) As it turned out, my sister was born and put up for adoption. The words 'put up for adoption' seem so crass to me, however I can't seem to find words that are more fitting... At any rate, that is what happened and of course, I have never known her personally, I have only ever known her in spirit.
About 10 years ago I decided I was going to try and find her - to no avail. I did everything that I was capable of. Well, to be honest, I did everything I was able to on what information I had. I was going by what my father and mother had told me, which wasn't a whole lot when I look at the scope of it now. Even at the time, I knew if I really wanted to find out, I could try and contact my sister's birth mother for information. This is where I faltered. I didn't know who she was, I only had a name, and I wasn't sure what kind of reception I would receive. Would she want to know her daughter? Would she be willing to give me the information I needed? Would I be stepping on her families toes if I pursued it if they didn't want me to?
I got as far as birthing records and found nothing. I didn't know what hospital she was born in, the date of birth - I only had the year - and because my sister's birth mothers name never appeared, I figured I was way off track. I figured my sister was concealed with a different birth mother name. When my efforts proved fruitless to me, and after spending the money for the birthing records that amounted to nothing, I accepted defeat. Of course, I had other people telling me to "let sleeping dogs lie" and to "not stir the pot", that "she will find you if she really wants to". After hearing that as much as I did, I guess I felt I was doing something wrong in trying to find her. What if she really didn't want to be found? Or further - what if she didn't even know?
So I failed myself. I gave up my search, but not for one day did I ever forget that I have an older sister.
A few weeks ago, I received a message on facebook from a lady I didn't know. She asked me a question about my dad, but she called him Joey - haha! I have never heard my dad called that! But seriously, I am a skeptic and I don't trust people easily - let alone someone who messages me on a social network asking questions. I didn't think about anything at all. In fact, I didn't even reply to her! How callus am I?
Yesterday, I woke to find a message from my dad. He said that he received a message from the same lady who messaged me, but asked him a different question. The question she asked him was the key indicator that my sister might have been found!!!!!
Of course, Dad and I were calling each other back and forth all day yesterday. We were speculating and investigating. It is actually quite funny now that I think about it. It's like we were two super sleuths trying to get to the bottom of a big case - but we were still way off track! Dad messaged the lady back and left it open so that questions could be asked - and we both waited for a response...
The response came. This lady isn't my 'blood' sister, but she is in fact the younger sister to my older sister. (Have I lost you yet?) lol
Teresa (I hope she doesn't mind that I have used her name) is the daughter of my older sister's birth mother. And Teresa has found my older sister!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My excitement could not be contained yesterday. I talked to my dad several times, called my sister Tara to fill her in, because how inappropriate would it be for her to read about it in my blog, called my closest friends to let them know and of course I said a few prayers of thankfulness for Teresa and my older sister.
I now know my older sister's name, I know her birthday and I know where she lives. I personally haven't had any contact with her. I am ok with this. Teresa is being the sole contact, and for that I can't thank her enough. Any information is better than what I had last week.
And I can completely understand my older sister guarding herself from us. I can't even begin to imagine what she must be going through or how she is feeling. For me, I have known for well over 20 years about her, but if she just found out about us - it can be nothing short of overwhelming. And she has a family she needs to protect as well. I get it. I have to remember that it isn't my life that has been turned upside down. I can't expect her to want me with open arms, unconditionally. I am a stranger to her and so I have to allow her to guard herself, to get used to the idea of me if she wants. I am a patient person and can wait forever if need be. That being said, if it turns out that my older sister is content with her station in life and she decides to not pursue me, I will be ok with that too. Just finally knowing of her is all I can really ask for - and I have already been granted that.
Finally, Teresa... I know I have said this many times, but I feel I have to say it again. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reaching out to me and giving me this information. Even when I didn't respond, you didn't give up. You are irreplaceable, unforgettable and now forever a part of my family. Much love
TamTam
The past two days have been slightly insane for me. So much so, that I decided it was time to sit down and actually write in my blog. It seems like forever since my last post - and yet nothing much had changed... until yesterday.
I guess a little bit of the back-story is necessary in order for you to understand, so I will start with high school.
When I was in high school, circumstances brought me to the realization that I have an older sister. She is my dad's daughter, one he wanted but was unable to keep. (There is a lot of information concerning this - but it is not my story to tell.) As it turned out, my sister was born and put up for adoption. The words 'put up for adoption' seem so crass to me, however I can't seem to find words that are more fitting... At any rate, that is what happened and of course, I have never known her personally, I have only ever known her in spirit.
About 10 years ago I decided I was going to try and find her - to no avail. I did everything that I was capable of. Well, to be honest, I did everything I was able to on what information I had. I was going by what my father and mother had told me, which wasn't a whole lot when I look at the scope of it now. Even at the time, I knew if I really wanted to find out, I could try and contact my sister's birth mother for information. This is where I faltered. I didn't know who she was, I only had a name, and I wasn't sure what kind of reception I would receive. Would she want to know her daughter? Would she be willing to give me the information I needed? Would I be stepping on her families toes if I pursued it if they didn't want me to?
I got as far as birthing records and found nothing. I didn't know what hospital she was born in, the date of birth - I only had the year - and because my sister's birth mothers name never appeared, I figured I was way off track. I figured my sister was concealed with a different birth mother name. When my efforts proved fruitless to me, and after spending the money for the birthing records that amounted to nothing, I accepted defeat. Of course, I had other people telling me to "let sleeping dogs lie" and to "not stir the pot", that "she will find you if she really wants to". After hearing that as much as I did, I guess I felt I was doing something wrong in trying to find her. What if she really didn't want to be found? Or further - what if she didn't even know?
So I failed myself. I gave up my search, but not for one day did I ever forget that I have an older sister.
A few weeks ago, I received a message on facebook from a lady I didn't know. She asked me a question about my dad, but she called him Joey - haha! I have never heard my dad called that! But seriously, I am a skeptic and I don't trust people easily - let alone someone who messages me on a social network asking questions. I didn't think about anything at all. In fact, I didn't even reply to her! How callus am I?
Yesterday, I woke to find a message from my dad. He said that he received a message from the same lady who messaged me, but asked him a different question. The question she asked him was the key indicator that my sister might have been found!!!!!
Of course, Dad and I were calling each other back and forth all day yesterday. We were speculating and investigating. It is actually quite funny now that I think about it. It's like we were two super sleuths trying to get to the bottom of a big case - but we were still way off track! Dad messaged the lady back and left it open so that questions could be asked - and we both waited for a response...
The response came. This lady isn't my 'blood' sister, but she is in fact the younger sister to my older sister. (Have I lost you yet?) lol
Teresa (I hope she doesn't mind that I have used her name) is the daughter of my older sister's birth mother. And Teresa has found my older sister!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My excitement could not be contained yesterday. I talked to my dad several times, called my sister Tara to fill her in, because how inappropriate would it be for her to read about it in my blog, called my closest friends to let them know and of course I said a few prayers of thankfulness for Teresa and my older sister.
I now know my older sister's name, I know her birthday and I know where she lives. I personally haven't had any contact with her. I am ok with this. Teresa is being the sole contact, and for that I can't thank her enough. Any information is better than what I had last week.
And I can completely understand my older sister guarding herself from us. I can't even begin to imagine what she must be going through or how she is feeling. For me, I have known for well over 20 years about her, but if she just found out about us - it can be nothing short of overwhelming. And she has a family she needs to protect as well. I get it. I have to remember that it isn't my life that has been turned upside down. I can't expect her to want me with open arms, unconditionally. I am a stranger to her and so I have to allow her to guard herself, to get used to the idea of me if she wants. I am a patient person and can wait forever if need be. That being said, if it turns out that my older sister is content with her station in life and she decides to not pursue me, I will be ok with that too. Just finally knowing of her is all I can really ask for - and I have already been granted that.
Finally, Teresa... I know I have said this many times, but I feel I have to say it again. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reaching out to me and giving me this information. Even when I didn't respond, you didn't give up. You are irreplaceable, unforgettable and now forever a part of my family. Much love
TamTam
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