Friday, December 31, 2010

An Unfair Advantage


My sister sister Angie is two years older than me.  We were close growing up.  She was born with a hole in her heart and had to have several surgeries as a child.  Mom and Dad were often back and forth from Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore with Angie.  Sometimes they would take me along...  because I wanted to be with them.  Mom said I was always good, and she didn't mind taking me.  Though I was very young, I can remember it quite vividly.  The medicine-like smell, the pictures that other children had colored that were plastered over a big glass window leading to a play area for the children, the huge, consoling statue of Christ that welcomed us into the hospitals lobby, and my sister lying in a bed smiling, relishing her presents and the attention she was getting at six years of age.  


Now one time, for some reason, they had to take the train to Baltimore (and we were very poor).  "You are five years old," Mom schooled Angie on her sudden age-change before getting onto the train.  When a child turned six, a ticket needed to be purchased.  When it came time to collect tickets, the conductor asked Angie how old she was.  "Well," she answered.  "I'm five when I'm on the train, and six when I'm not on the train."  Mom was appalled.  

Angie never got married or had a family.  She was the only one of seven children who went to college.  She teaches Social Studies but has also taught English Literature (I think) at a middle school in the Annapolis area.  


And she has convinced me to play 'Words with Friends' with her via my IPod Touch.  


The game's great... almost identical to Scrabble.... and you can make your word whenever you have free time - then it's the next persons turn.  As you can see on the screen, Angie is winning this game.  She wins them all.  When she was here over Christmas, I'd notice her tinkering around with her IPhone... I thought she was texting.  It turns out she has a half a dozen games going with different people.  

I'm humoring her, and playing along.  But I think she has an unfair advantage.

11 comments:

  1. Hehehehe...Angie sounds likes fun but a little too smart furs my mum. I is a doxie so I could handle it (maybe).
    Ummmm...my mum kinda spewed her coffe when hers read what her told da conductor.

    Puddles

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  2. Too cute Bobbi!... I think I will try that... I am different ages at different places!... (actually, I already do that... as often I turn into that 10 year old little girl again!)... beautiful post!... xoxo Julie Marie

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  3. I remember my Dad always telling me I was "younger" when we would go to the movies! Your poor mom!

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  4. Your poor Mother - but what a favorite family story for years to come! Priceless!

    Don't know how I would do with that game, seems her education keeps her in the higher ranking scores! Bet she has time to read a lot! (teaching English Lit)

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  5. I am terrible with games! That's a cute story about what you told the conductor! When I was six, we traveled by car to Johns Hopkins for mother to have her eyes examined. I vividly remember much of the same things you do about the experience.

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  6. What a great story! Bobbi, I love those word games and my husband and I are SOOO competitive! How fun!
    Have a great day!

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  7. What a wonderful, wonderful post to read today, Bobbi!! You are so blessed to have this sister who you are close to. I always wanted a sibling, am an only child. I love the train story and laughed out loud!!! If she is an English teacher, you will never win the game! But isn't it fun to have this game as yet another way to bond with her, and it's always fun to keep trying, who knows? If you watch what she does long enough, you will win! You mention Annapolis and Baltimore. I am from that area! Was born in D.C. and moved to the Maryland suburbs when I was 13. One of the beat things of my year was finding you, Bobbi, you are an absolute joy!!! Happy New Year!

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  8. Oh that train story is precious. The mouth of babes. Great to have such a wonderful sister :) Happy New Year!

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  9. Isn't it fun to have a sister you enjoy?!! They turn out to be best friends even though we never would have suspected it at times when we were growing up! What a blessing to be near John Hopkins. They are one of the best!

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  10. I did the same thing to my parents once and got in big trouble! Parents!!!! That game looks fun, and I never play games!

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  11. What a sweet story! I love the games on our iPhones. Mu hubby and I compete against each other on Angry Birds. He's always beating me! I'll have to search that game. I love word games!

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