Page 79 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2018- Online Magazine

Lubbock afterwards
for Senior Link’s
Veteran Celebration at
the Corn Maze.)

They came bearing
gifts from the
hometowns they
had adopted - coffee
mugs, cup towels,
chocolate, homemade
jelly, wine; and a
notebook filled with
hand-drawn self-
portraits of most of
our 148 immediate
family members.
Jane Bromley
Without sounding stereotypical, I posit that sister love
is different from brother love. It’s more emotional and 806-438-8557
tender and accompanied by a lot more words. That
can complicate things or present more opportunities janebromley53@gmail.com
for misunderstanding. But the potential depth of
understanding and affection is so worth it.

My sister party is already enshrined in my memory as
one of the happiest weekends of my life. The brothers When I returned home, I mailed blank books to each
and sisters-in-law who came were icing on the birthday of the brothers, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law who
cake. At 65, I am seeing my siblings in a whole new light were not able to come to Midland. When everyone has
and am looking forward to connecting with them on finished, all the memories will be gathered into one
a deeper level. Even though we had the same parents volume for our children, grandchildren, nieces and
and grew up under the same roof, their stories and nephews. They say, “The best gift our parents give us is
experiences are enormously different. each other.” We honor them when we appreciate it, and
maybe Mom and Dad are smiling from Heaven because
Because I value their stories so much, I took advantage we are finally all getting along.
of the occasion by passing out blank journals to my
siblings and their spouses. I explained to my sisters,
sisters-in-law, and brothers that I would like for them to
write down their unique life experiences. (The spouses’
experiences and perspectives are equally important,
because they consciously chose to join the “family
circus”.) After a few eye rolls, my little-sisters-and-
brothers-turned-adults began to embrace the idea. Even
though they complained about “homework”, most of
them realized the value of documenting the roller-coaster
ride of growing up in a family of 15. The conversation
grew lively and saturated with anecdotes which would
need to be included in their chapters.

Lubbock Senior Link 79