My Instead: I called my twin brother Mark, just to talk.
Sad to say, I don’t call
my twin brother Mark except to wish him happy birthday (he usually calls me
first on our big day in June). We might also call each other sometimes about a current
family matter, like whose turn it is to host Mom’s birthday or who wants to chip
in on a gift for Mom. No substance to speak of, just life’s affairs to be
addressed.
While painting at my son’s
house in my usual mindless manner, I decided that Mark and I should talk…about
something and I didn’t much care about what. When he answered, he was
almost home so our chat was chopped. As he walked into the house, somehow Mark’s
cell phone was handed to his wife Linda and she and I carried on the rest of
the conversation as women do.
Take 2. I called Mark
again the next day while painting mindlessly. Yes, this “instead” took two days
to come to fruition. This time I caught him in the office around lunch time. I
could tell he was working feverishly as he updated me on the score of the Cardinal’s day
game. We continued to talk (not about the Cards) and share. We, of course,
spoke of family matters, but it was much more relaxed because there was no
agenda to follow. The topics were free flowing…that’s what I liked best. We
talked about Annette, my new girlfriend, which led to talk about relationships,
marriage, divorce, kids, grandkids, etc. But it was all good. I guess when you
reach 62, your perspective changes because you are not the one knee-deep in the
trenches of life with its struggles and its busyness. Mark and I are
discovering that standing on the outside looking in has its advantages. Perhaps
the past has shaved off a portion of wisdom for each of us.
As the clock ticked
away, Mark realized he had to get back to work. I bragged that I had been working the whole
time! We said our “good-byes” and our “I love yous”. That was nice. But Mark and I have always had an easy go of it throughout the years. After
all, he is my gentle brother.
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