I was named for my father’s sister who was outgoing and ebullient. Perhaps they were hoping for a duplicate of her. Instead they were given a painfully shy, reserved, quiet child with a habit of day dreaming and hiding if anyone came into the house that was not a playmate. To this day, when company is expected, my immediate response is to run for my bedroom when the doorbell rings. I have learned to cover this fear with a shell so when people meet me they would never guess this about me. I can be conversant and gracious, but it exhausts me. I can be social in small doses.
My mother was a twin. Her brother was born a few minutes after she, and she always bragged that she was the oldest so she could have the last say I suppose. I was counting on having twins too, since the rumor is that it usually skips one generation. This was not to be my gift. I had been disappointed, but of course the children you have are the ones that count and make this longing irrelevant. However, I have given this memory some reason and balance in my mind.
I was born a Gemini, the sign of the twins. I think what happened is that I did not give birth to twins. I kept them for myself, and they are deep inside of me. Some days I am more one twin than the other, but these two sides give me a chance to live for both of us!
I am off to celebrate my 60th birthday late this afternoon and will not be back to my blog until Friday. Since I am not a party girl, my desire was to go somewhere
quiet and beautiful with few people and no cell phone or internet service. We are going to Glacier National Park. I was there as a child, but do not recall any of the experience. When I return I will be embracing my years and ready to turn the corner.
happy happy birthday phyllis, a wonderful post.
“Perhaps they were hoping for a duplicate of her.” you have me laughing and tearful at the same moment.
i was lined up to have twins also. ha!
Happy Birthday. Yes, I was hoping for twins and at one point the doctor thought maybe (I was huge).
But quiet and solitude have always been my friend also. And conquering my shyness has been a challenge. Maybe we should do a quiz for other Gemini’s to see if they have these blessings as well.
Do enjoy your time.
Your aunt looks like a lovely person.
I was named after my uncle, a very high mark in creativity to emulate.
Happy, happy year and years ahead!
Happy birthday fellow Gemini. You so beautifully put into words the way I feel also. But this year, when I turn 53 tomorrow, I am making it the Year Of Kimmie! I plan on trying to remember the dreams I had when I was Kimmie, and act on the ones I can. They say “women of a certain age” regain the freedoms they had when they were young. Watch out world! There’s a whole Baby Boom full of Women Of A Certain Age. Here we come!
Happy Birthday to a fellow shy Gemini (I turned 58 on Sunday)! I wish that I had a penny for every time someone has commented on how quiet I am…sigh
I found my way over to your blog from Spiritcloth & have been following your posts ever since. Your writing seems to be reflecting so many of my thoughts lately; it’s comforting to read your words & know that I am not alone.
My passion is all things textile with my creative outlet being traditional rug hooking. That said, I’m not sure why I’m so drawn to quilting and stitching. I guess a lot of the old quilt patterns translate well into rug patterns and I have been trying my hand at wool applique after studying some of the album quilts.
Thank you so much for sharing!
Lynn
many happy happy returns on your b-day-may all your dreams come true!
xo
Warm wishes for a wonderful time.
Love learning more about you!
Patrice
( I was named after LaLa Pat. Patrice is the name we share. She was named after Uncle Patrick. See a theme?)
Happy, Happy Birthday! Hope you are having/had the best week.
I will use the old fashioned phrase, and wish you Many Happy Returns! Birthdays with a zero at the end always seem such huge and important milestones, I hope you are really enjoying yours. It is lovely to have met you via the internet, and so span the miles, and I look forward to many interesting conversations about Life, The Universe and Everything! Best wishes, Lois xx
Happy Birthday! What a beautiful photo! My brother is a twin and my grandmother on my father’s side had twins. My son is the one and only which is great for me. Happy Birthday once again!
A very happy belated birthday dear Phyllis, I am so sorry that I am so very late leaving you a greeting. I am in awe of your spirit and your beautiful writing, there is such nourishment to be found in these pages. From one shy woman to another I send many, may good wishes! You are beautiful in so many ways, thank you so much for all the support you have given me. With love,
Lisa
XXX