Bratty Brat

As promised - -I thought I would enlighten all on Bratty Brat . . .yes . . my little sister. Almost 5 years apart .. . .( although she’s older and passed me by since she became a gramma first) our growing up years were spent with a bit more conflict than compansionship. She was just enough younger that to me she was often a pest. But she soo . . wanted to please and be my friend. Sadly, I far too often used that to my advantage to lord things over her and take advantage.

She was the youngest not just in our family but one of the youngest in the whole neighborhood. Now in my adult years and with the wisdom of raising my own children, I can see how difficult that must have been. While everyone else was riding their bikes faster than the wind with baseball cards clothespinned to the spokes, her little legs couldn’t even reach the pedals. Sbe tried so hard to fit in and of course being much younger and us being unkind made it harder for her.

One of the neighborhood kids nicknamed her Bratty Brat and for some reason the name stuck. Years later when we met up again at a wedding, I remember one of the old neighbor pals squealing-- -“Look! Bratty Brat has a baby!” and we all howled.

Many years have passed and now those five years between us seem like nothing at all. Amazing what age does and now we are friends.

Bratty Brat has certainly grown up that’s for sure - -and as I often tell people proudly (and with some envy) I do have to say that she is the most beautiful person that I personally know. She is very glamourous and knows just how to apply makeup and dress to look like a million bucks! So while she was trying so hard as a kid to pedal to keep up - -I find the tables turned now. In a week we’ll all be taking a cruise together and I sure hope that I can keep up and at least not look like the ugly sister!

We’re all looking forward to the week we’ll spend together - -giggling, squealing and having a ball!

Bratty Brat . . .Have I told you how much fun I think you are and how much I enjoy having you in my life? Well if not . . .guess you’ll have to wait til I see ya next to tell ya!