I hardly believe it, but tomorrow is my 43rd birthday. Not just mine, mind you, but also Karla's, my twin sister's.
The reason I say this is because when we were born nearly 43 years ago, on June 26, 1959, we weren't expected to survive. See, we were born 3 months premature, and back then, medical science just didn't have the technology or the know-how to save babies who were born early like we were. (At birth, Karla weighed 2 pounds; me, just 1 pound, 5 ounces. We were little-bitty squirts.) We had a lot of breathing problems, and I'm sure we were on respirators and had all kinds of wires and monitors on us. I always like to kid around and say things like "the doctors had fun with us..first, one would quit breathing, and as soon as the doctors would get the first one going, then the other would quit breathing." Which was probably true . Anyway, when we were born, we were NOT expected to survive, especially me. We were both given last rites, and the doctors told mom and dad that Baby B (me) wouldn't live through the day. They were expecting me to die.
BUT..we did NOT die. We DID have developmental disabilities, but we were otherwise quite healthy for premature babies. Myself, I didn't walk until I was 4, according to my daddy. I don't know when Karla walked, but I know it had to have been before me. We also started school later than most kids: Karla was 6, I was 7 when we started kindergarten. We also had some learning disabilities; we were considered "slow" in comparison to most kids. We CERTAINLY didn't take after our two oldest sisters, both, of whom, were intellectually and academically gifted.
Now, 43 years later, we are still here, alive and reasonably well. We WERE apart 17 years, but then 3 years ago Karla moved me down from Ohio to be with her in Texas; and we've been together ever since. Sure, there are times where we annoy the FLOP out of one another and get into fights (over trivial things or stupid things, like country music--she loves modern and some tradtional; me, I'm a tradionalist--), but thankfully, those times are rare. She does tend to boss me around because she is afraid I'll do something to embarrass her (in which I have, but then she's done the same to me!!), and she is only concerned about me. But LORD help us if we should PMS together; we have gotten into some HELLACIOUS fights then!! You DON'T WANT TO BE AROUND US WHEN WE BOTH PMS!!!
We are like two peas in a pod, yet we are decidedly different. Karla is heavy and is 5'3"; I am petite and am 4'10". We do look a lot alike, even though we are NOT identical; we are fraternal twins. We both have short, dark-brown hair, dark-brown eyes, puggy noses, and similar facial structure (although her face is more round; mine is more narrow), and are mirror-image twins. She is left-handed; I am right-handed. We even talk the same way (and catch each other when we talk at the same time; we owe each other Cokes; we're BEYOND cans or bottles of Coke; we are into FACTORIES!!), and we walk similar (although I have a more pronounced limp, in which she says I walk like a penguin). We also have a lot of the same ailments. We both have osteoarthritis (I kid her by saying she shared it with me), but she has degenerative disc disease in her back, sciatica in both legs and in her buttocks, nerve damage, and muscle pain in her shoulders and neck. I mainly have just the arthritis. I have more in the way of arthritis than she does, especially in my hands and hips; hers is mainly in her neck, shoulders, BACK, knees, and feet. (Mine is in my hips, knees, feet, and hands.) We both walk with assistance: she uses a cane, me, a crutch (although I DO have a cane, but I prefer the crutch, as it's easier for me).
We are also similar when it comes to our hobbies and interests. First of all, we are avid, rabid bookworms. We have BOOKS!!! We also love country music, and we love going to concerts (WHEN we can), taking walks (which is good for our bodies, plus we have no choice; we don't have a car), writing poetry or stories (God gave us this Gift after September 11; first Karla started writing, then I followed suit), singing, shopping (WHEN we have money; we are kind of on the poor side), and just being with each other. But, as I said earlier, there are times where we can't STAND being around each other!!
It also helps that we work at the same place (although different hours excepting on Sundays; she and I get off at about the same time on Sunday, but she starts 3 hours earlier than I do); it is fun to confuse the co-workers and especially the customers when we are BOTH in our uniforms!! We get more funny or surprised looks from people...The job itself isn't the greatest, but at least it's a job; and at least we can pay our bills (MOST of the time). It isn't easy for disabled people to find work as it is; so we are grateful to God for this job He has so lovingly given us! (Karla's been at her job going on 4 1/2 years; me, two years and four months.)
So, whenever at home or at work, we are somehow always together, Karla and me. We are very rarely apart..and that is the way it SHOULD be, especially when it comes to being twins!!
Twins shouldn't be apart, especially for 17 years!!!
So, Karla, let me be among the first to wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! May you have the BEST birthday EVER!! I love you so much!! XXXXXXXXXXOOOOOOOOOOOXXXXXXXXX
Robert Burns' first daughter was Elizabeth. Her story and the five descendants Scottish lives are recorded here with the Bard's message today as ever in need. Al Quida listen: Then let us pray that come it may, As come it will for a' that. That Sense
