Or Charlie…explaining how that nickname came to be is a
little confusing when people ask why we call her “Charlie”. It started with
teasing (as most things do with Abby). And is stuck. But then lots of nicknames
have stuck with Abby…I won’t embarrass her and list them all here.
Today Charlie turns 21. So, I guess that officially makes
her an adult. And like so many adults, I imagine she will be working on her
birthday. But then, Charlie works nearly every day. For hours on end. Because there’s
nothing Charlie does half way. Ask anyone.
When Charlie was born, I was 13 ½ years old. I can remember
a lot of things about her birth. Mom had kidney stones with her, and I remember
sitting in my top bunk reading till who knows what time in the morning until
Dad brought her home from the hospital, the coming baby thankfully okay. Charlie
also liked to turn flips in the womb, causing the doctors not a little bit of
consternation. And I remember Dad leaving his alarm clock on when he took Mom
to the hospital. It took me a minute or two to figure out how to get it to turn
off. Oh! And Grace had the chicken pox, maybe with Jenny but we were never sure
Jenny actually had them. So, they couldn’t go into the hospital, meaning we
went in shifts. Katey and I went in by ourselves. And even though we didn’t get
lost, I’m not sure we actually used the right elevator coming down.
From the time she was born, Charlie liked to make herself
known. She had lungs like none other, especially when our pastor got up to preach.
She was never afraid to share her opinion. She gave my friends un-asked for
advice more than once. (And there’s nothing like someone in their twenties
getting advice from a six-year-old.) And, believe me, she is always right…or so
she thinks.
Charlie could also get out of work like a member of a
construction union. If there was a shovel to be leaned upon, she was leaning.
But, more likely, she just disappeared. And you never even realized it.
Assigned to wash windows with Charlie? Before you knew it, you’d be washing
alone. And how in the world did you end up sweeping the floor on her day to do
it? There’s no telling. It just happened.
Maybe it has to do with being the baby girl. When she was
very small, she would bring a book for you to read to her. Without even asking,
she’d turn around and back up into you until she plopped into your lap…and you
started reading. Charlie and I read books together even after she started
reading herself. It made long car rides to bell concerts seem not quite as long.
And in December, that was a lot of reading time!
Today, Charlie is a criminal justice student with dreams of
law school in the future. She studies hard, works hard and plays hard. But
she’s still the baby sister. And she is still the best fun to tease.
So, happy 21st birthday, Charlie!
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