more sisters

Our mother and her sister were confirmed into church membership together on June 7, 1936.  Here they are on Confirmation Sunday standing next to each other in their lovely white dresses.  Our mom, Helen, is on the left and our aunt, Gertrude, is on the right.  This is what Mom said about being a member of the same class as her sister.  She was upset.  For whatever reason Auntie Anna held Mom back a year so that both of the girls would be confirmed at the same time.  Mom always wanted to be in the class with her own age group but she obeyed Auntie and stayed back a year.  It bothered her though.  That, and a few other instances, gave Mom the idea that when she had children (particularly daughters) she would make sure that they were treated as individuals and had their own opportunities for growth independent of each other.  And, yet, because my sister and I shared the same bedroom all of the years as we were growing up, we grew close in other ways.  Caring and respect developed between us and that has continued all these years.  I think our mom was wise to watch us grow together, but separately.  Different personalities have led us in different directions but we always find the time to be there for each other and we always will.  Thanks, Mom.  Thanks, Sis.