Tomfoolery

Tina and I leave our super-secret symbol all over the farm; on the barn, in forts, on trees, on the old shell-of-a-car parked in the field, and maybe even in the attic? We’re a team, a secret club, masters of our own version of spy-craft. As cousins, besties, and youngest in our families, we come equipped with over-the-top orneriness and insatiable curiosity concerning the affairs of our sisters. We hide under beds, leave our state-of-the-art tape recorder hidden, and listen on the other side of walls and doors. Our joy is in the juicy.

We spend the afternoon learning to moonwalk in the dairy with Uncle Richie before we hit the proverbial jackpot! You see, Pop refinishes antique furniture, and sometimes we see customers come up the driveway to his workshop. TAGED, A.K.A. Tina and I, are making over the old chicken coop with Teen Bop posters (the two Coreys’ and John Stamos) when we hear Sara and Beth cracking up over their most recent tomfoolery. A customer is so taken by their “story,” the woman insists on going into the farmhouse to see their mothers, the Siamese twins, conjoined at the pinkie. Evidently the mom-twins never wanted to detach. This most definitely tops their act as grandchildren to President George Bush, one of their favorite stories to share at the beach.

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Snippets of the past? Find a few that make you smile. And people. Think of your favs; who were and who are your go-to humans? In the dark, looking for a foothold, glimpse in time to a moment of joy. Some beloved-ones have passed on, some are a phone call or a text away.

Tina makes the short list. The stuff I have jumped into with my cousins; we made incredible memories! And something I love about each one: when I see them, no time has passed. I must say though, Tina and I break the curve on the cool factor. I’ve never been skinny-dipping in the cow trough with anyone else, so…

What’s my point?

Find your joy memory and play it on repeat. And your people. Here or passed on, talk with them! Maybe you’re not the strong-one right now, but they may have the foothold you need, even if it is laced fingers boosting you up into a fort.

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