This photo was taken at my dad's funeral in 2000. We did have another group photo shot when we had a sister's retreat a few years ago, but I can't find it, so this will suffice for now!
Hallmark Free e-cards said that today was
National Sister's Day. And I was going to send each of my sisters a free e-card from them - meaning Hallmark. So I hustled home from church today to do it, and their site was "temporarily unavailable, we apologize for any inconvenience."
Don't you just hate it when you have a great idea, and you even remember about doing it - and then you are thwarted?
I do!
So I decided to just do a post about the 5 great sisters I have - and hope they all read it!
Here's a shot of all of us at Leslie's wedding in 1983. Alice had had Hester in January, I'd had Eliza 4 days earlier and Mary was pregnant with Tami.
For the uninformed, there are 6 Clayton girls - which means I have 5 sisters. I have always had sisters, so I can't imagine what it would be like to not have sisters. But I'm really glad I do!
Joan with Bonny in 1971
My oldest sister Joan, who is 4 years older than me, has always been a great cheerleader and supporter. When I won the election for Student Body President at Granada Hills High, Joan brought me home a box of See's chocolates! Believe me, in a family of 12 kids, your own box of See's is a prize beyond compare. And when Bonny was born, while Fred was in VietNam, she came to SLC to visit and bought us a wonderful stroller/car bed combo that served us through our first three kids. More important, though, was the feeling of being loved and cared for - and you always know that Joan loves and cares.
Barbara, Leslie and Alice - December of 1966.
Alice and I are just a month under 2 years apart in age, and we grew up together like best friends. Except for the neighbor Judy, no one else understands the paper-doll world we created as kids - a world that was truly a childhood dream experience. We played dolls a lot too. And we pooled our resources to buy Christmas gifts together. We were roommates in college, and Alice was , for many years, my in-house seamstress! When she left on her mission, and I was barely pregnant with Bonny, she gave me a pattern and fabric and said "I know you can do it yourself!" (And I did - her confidence in me gave me confidence!) Over the years, we discovered that we could go pattern shopping separately and, without ever discussing it, come home with the same pattern! We think alike!
Mother and Mary at Aunt Bobbie's funeral - 2006?
Mary is younger enough that I can remember her birth! Alice and I went to Grandma Helen's and Grandpa Clayton's house to stay. And Mary was at Ricks when Bonny was born and she would come down and babysit and just keep me company sometimes. In fact, she was Bonny's first baby sitter - I was loathe to leave her, but Mary happened to come down and Harry seized the opportunity for us to go to the ballet. Mary I would trust with her! Mary can always be counted on for love and support.
At Richard and Julie's wedding - June of 1975.
Leslie has often been called "Barbara Junior" in her lifetime - we look alike - but she is taller, obviously! In spite of the nearly 14 year gap in our ages, we have always felt like peers. She's not the world's best correspondent, but she can call you randomly and you can have the best conversation - as if you'd never been apart! As with dress patterns with Alice, it will often turn out that Leslie and I are loving the same book. Leslie's smiles and hugs are truly life enhancing!
This looks like Harry F.'s 8th b-day - which would be 1980.
Donna, the baby sister, has earned the title of World's Favorite Aunt! She was always - and still is - there for my kids. Taking them to movies, babysitting them - or their kids - celebrating their birthdays - or the ultimate sacrifice - going along as the chaperone to the Howard Jones Concert with Bonny!! You can always count on Donna - to help, to listen, to care!!
When Annika was born, Ara, Ella and Esme were staying with us. Bruce called to say they had a new little sister. Ara said, "Grandma, now we are our own
Little Women." I was always glad that I had four daughters who seem to be their own
Little Women too.
And I've always been grateful that I had wonderful sisters! And grateful for a mom who helped us all become the sisters we are today!
"Thanks, Barbara, for the wonderful tribute. I have been thinking about all of you over the past few weeks. I have come up with a little list of things that Clayton girls do really well. 1) Make chocolate chip cookies. 2) Frost graham crackers. Believe it or not, many people do not know of this delicious treat! 3) Clean bathrooms. Actually, a lot of people don't do this very well. 4) Iron. I will not wear wrinkled clothing! 5) Hang clothes on a clothes line. This is not hard of course, but not done too much anymore!
Here's a shot of all of us at Leslie's wedding in 1983. Alice had had Hester in January, I'd had Eliza 4 days earlier and Mary was pregnant with Tami.
Joan with Bonny in 1971
Barbara, Leslie and Alice - December of 1966.
Mother and Mary at Aunt Bobbie's funeral - 2006?
At Richard and Julie's wedding - June of 1975.
This looks like Harry F.'s 8th b-day - which would be 1980.
But I thought about it when I got home last week. I took a clean nightgown out of the drawer and realized how old and shabby it was. I have considered tossing it many times.
