I don’t know if you know this, but I have two sisters named Susan. One of them lives way out West, and the other one lives right down the road a piece. She is actually my wife’s sister, but I consider her mine as well. She is the one who took such good care of my wife and I after our daughter passed. That was no easy task, believe me. (No, I didn’t forget about you, Joyce, but this one is about the two Susans). Both Susans work (or did work before my sibling retired last year) in medicine. Both women are smart and courageous, and I am glad that they are a part of my life.
Both Susans were the dreaded “MIDDLE CHILD,” same as me. I know what you’re thinking. How could my sister Susie be a middle child when I just said I was a middle child? Well, my parents had four kids, meaning that child #2 (that’s me) and child #3 (that’s her) both are middle children. My sister-in-law, however, is an honest-to-goodness middle child in her family. The plight of the middle child should be discussed another day.
Anyway, The Other Day…, I wrote one of these essays and paid tribute to the Susie, who is my wife’s sister in TOD #70, by stating, “we’ll see.” I also paid tribute to her in my latest book by using “We’ll see” and explaining that Laci’s sister uses that phrase often. Well, so does my sister-in-law. At least she used to. I don’t know if my sister uses it or not. I’ll have to get back to you on that.
What made me think of this? Well, whenever I used to need something or wanted to do something, my sister-in-law would always say, “We’ll see.” She never came right out and said that she wouldn’t do something, but she didn’t say she would either. I was kind of like in answer limbo, not quite sure how to take her response. Strange as it may seem, giving me that answer endeared me to Susie. It made me feel a connection to her. It was like we had this secret we wouldn’t tell anyone else about. Like I said, probably sounds strange to you.
To be honest, I don’t know why I am telling you about my sister-in-law and the answer she used to give me when she didn’t want to answer my questions. However, when I used her pet phrase in my latest novel, I couldn’t help but smile as I typed it on the page. It made me think of both the Susans in my life. I miss seeing and talking to both of them. That’s really why I wrote this essay. I wanted them to know I was thinking of them and to say it’s the little things we often do without realizing it that touch other people in ways we can’t always comprehend.
Today, I was able to talk about both of the wonderful women in my life named Susan, and I really enjoyed it. It made them feel closer for a little while. I hope I didn’t ruffle anyone’s feathers by bringing up the infamous little phrase that sank a thousand invitations. Guess I will have to wait and see!
Until next time, hope you won’t have to wait to have a great day. MUH!
