My Sister and I

I think my mom was lucky in the sense that Carla and I never argued as girls - at least not that I can remember. We are making up for it now though. Sad isn't it? I can't really explain why though. I guess just because both of us lead a very busy and stressful life and don't take the time for ourselves or our sisterhood that we should.
When we were girls, we always shared a room and yet generally always got along - I mean I am sure we had a few arguments like sisters do, but really I can't remember one of them or what they were about.
I don't think Carla every played with anything - I joke and say that Carla went from playing with her Fisher Price toys straight to playing with the curling iron. Carla was always the beautiful one and always looked perfect and in place - Me, I would have just rather been dressed in whatever and reading a book. Actually - we are still that way - Carla always looks perfectly put together and I would go anywhere in my PJ's - actually I do. Since Carla never played with anything and no one ever seemed to get that - she still ended up with all the same girly toys at Christmas and her birthdays that I did. When she got Barbies it was of up most importance to Carla for them to be kept in the boxes because one day they would be worth something. I think she still has all the Raisin Men from Hardees. She kept any happy meal toy she ever had in the package. I really can't remember he playing with anything girly but she was far from a tomboy. She liked to be outside with the horses and four wheeler and riding bikes with Brian though. Me, I was content playing with my Barbies or reading a book. I think Brian played Barbies with me more than Carla ever did. (he will kill me for saying that but he has a lot of practice to be able to play with his sweet baby girl one day - for the record he was always Ken) Anyway - One story I will never forget was a Barbie that Carla had that one day when she was gone I pulled out from the top of the closet and took her out of the box - to this day - I can remember exactly what that Barbie looked like... and the look on Carla's face when she came into our bedroom to see that I had destroyed her perfect barbie by removing her from the safe box she had been in for years. Last year for Christmas, I purchased a collector Barbie for Carla that looked as close as I could find to the one I took from her so many years ago.
I will never forget the day that she got married and moved to Ohio. I was so happy to finally at 18 years old be getting my own room but so sad that my sister was leaving me and moving so far away. I wanted her to get married and move out ... but ummm down the street was OK with me! We had never been close but I didn't want her to move so far away - she had taught me everything I knew ... how to put on makeup, how to curl my hair, how to shave my legs... all the girly things you need to know Carla had taught me - what if I needed to be taught something else!?
Ultimately, I am glad that she moved to Ohio because had she not, her life would not have turned out the way it has - although like me Carla has had some bumps in the road - she has a great life. When I think about it, maybe we argue so much now because finally the two of us do have so much in common. Demanding jobs, children, stress - just to name a few.
Lately, because over the past year - Carla and I have started arguing more and more each time we get to see each other - which is not often - I haven't called her as much as I should. I am going to try and do better. Love you Carla.