My older sister Sarae greatly influenced me. She was always there for me, my Friend, and also like a second mother. I remember her helping me with my homework assignments. We often visited the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Franklin Institute. Back then, we did not have computers; we had encyclopedias, and she would help me choose what subject to write about.
When I was a young kid, she would take me out with her friends. I pledged with a sorority, and I was the mascot. She took me everywhere. I was even lucky enough to watch her dance on Bandstand; it was so exciting. Mom, I watched her on black-and-white TV.
She would wake me up some days and say, "Mom said we don't have to go to school today. Get dressed; we are meeting Aunt Lily and Cousin Ivan downtown. We would either go shopping for the day or go to the movies. We would meet at Wanamaker's department store at the famous Eagle. Maybe this is why I love to shop and love going to movies. I learned so much history by going to the movies.
Wanamaker was a beautiful department store with an organ that people would play and come from all over to hear. The eagle is a piece of art that is now a federally protected treasure. The movie theaters also had elaborate decor unlike what you see today: red velvet curtains and crystal chandeliers. It was a learning experience. When I saw my friends, they could not believe the magical day I had, even though I was supposed to be home sick with an upset stomack
We would never get in trouble except once when Mom went to Atlantic City with her Lodge. Sarae, Cousin Ivan, and I didn't go to school. We took a bus to the Jersey Shore to Atlantic City and the Hotel where Mom was staying and surprised her and Aunt Lily. They were not too happy to see us at all. Somehow, we ended up staying at our aunt's house in Ventnor. We went fishing and crabbing. It was fun, but Sarae got in trouble with Dad when we got home.
Sarae met Stan and was married when I was nine. She moved into her own house. It was upsetting for me as she was like my second Mom, and it took me time to adjust to her not always being there for me. I got over it, as children always do. I did get the big bedroom and my own black & white TV. They came over weekly for dinner, and she still took me places. Plus, my brother-in-law Stan got me a dog.
We still went down to Margate or Ventnor singing in the car unless a baseball game was on the radio.
My sister and I are still very close and talk almost daily on the phone. She now resides in Delray Beach, Florida.
This is my second entry to the Active Rain March Challenge hosted by Patricia Feager and Lew Corcoran
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