Memories

This old house is located below the courthouse off what I call the Woman's Club Road (Mathews people will know what I'm talking about). It's on the left hand side and is being slowly taken over by nature. I always wonder what's inside...it's like a treasure chest waiting to be opened up, loaded with memories.

The other day I was rooting around my basement and came upon a box chock full of old pictures and letters. One of them was from Chesapeake Bay Mother to me when I was in college. Middle Sister and Baby Sister were still living at home.

Baby Sister claims I never write about her.

Here we go, Baby Sister.

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From CB Mother:

MATHEWS COUNTY INSANE ASYLUM
P.O. Box xx
Hudgins, Virginia

Sunday, 10:07 AM
February the something-or-other, 1983

Dear Chesapeake Bay Daughter,

Daddy is getting something done for Ben's car at the shop, Baby Sis is doing nothing and drinking a coke, (in that order), Middle Sis is resting up from all the boys and fun, and I am writing you this letter.

(There are several paragraphs that I'm omitting...trust me, you don't want to read it. Or rather, I'd prefer you didn't read it.)

...Baby Sister just told me this letter sucks. She's now outside in the snow wearing Polaroid No Glares shooting baskets off the run (a term used to describe the act of shooting baskets while skateboarding). We got a new goal up, and it looks rather decent. It is important to preserve appearances.

That child Baby Sister is totally out of my hands, and fortunately for her. She actually told me the other day that no man would ever want me.* I ask you, what do you do with such a person? Is it legal and permissible to fit your child for a muzzle? Or is a little exorcism in order?"

(There is more to the letter that I'll include in another post.)

Love you madly, even though at this point motherhood kind of sucks.

-CB Mother
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Chesapeake Bay Woman's Comments

* Don't read anything into this remark...CB Mother was not seeking out other men. Rather, Baby Sis was trying to not-so-diplomatically convey a point relating to CB Mother's attitude towards men, which can be, shall we say, harsh at times.

For example, one time when my daughter was about 4, CB Mother told her a story about something my father did, and she concluded by saying that men are pigs. CB Daughter, not entirely familiar with the expression, relayed the story to me later on and said, "Yeah, pigs are men."

Well, she was close.

By the way, my daughter and Baby Sister could pass for twins and are alike in many ways.

Looks like I need to go shopping. For a muzzle.