Package Day

I had a late meeting after school yesterday and, as I climbed the steps from the street to my front door, I was delighted  to see a package sitting on my stoop.

My twin sister and I send each other packages in the mail for no reason. We collect things (books, tea, etc.)that we know the other likes. When we have enough, we ship it off. It is a tradition that has evolved over time.

I have lived away from my family for decades. I taught in Colombia for several years and my sister and I sent letters. Later, when I’d moved to Portland, OR, letters evolved into socks, and socks evolved into packages.I can’t tell you when or why or how, but the tradition continues.

Today’s package contained a replacement for a favorite mug I’d broken a few months ago. And there was tea (2 kinds) and some Cadbury’s Easter candy I can’t get here. I’ve got to pace myself on that.

I have a package on the go for her, too. I need to get more packing tape, but I hope to mail it on Friday, so it will arrive after she and her family get home from their Spring Break vacation. I hope she will be as excited to get this one as I was to get hers.

When Twins Don’t Get Along

I recently reread Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson, which I have always said is my favorite KP book. It wasn’t quite the book I remembered, but I still enjoyed it.

 The main character, Sara Louise Bradshaw, has a twin sister, Caroline, who is prettier and more talented, and better at social situations. The book is essentially Louise’s attempt to break free of her sister’s shadow.

As a twin, I find this a fascinating book and I remember now why I liked it so much. My sister and I got along very well, and still do. I was the quieter, shyer twin and sometimes felt like I lived In my sister’s shadow. Sometimes that was a safer, more comfortable place to be. I could let her take the lead in social situations where I felt uncomfortable, and often let her speak for both of us.

I am currently reading I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson.

It features boy-girl twins, Noah and Jude who are very close until around age 13. Noah is artistic and solitary, Jude is much more outgoing. The story is narrated in an alternating pattern, with Noah telling the early years, and Jude telling about life at age 16. As each chapter unfolds you find out what happened to break their connection, and what helps put it back together.

Even if you are not a twin, both stories explore complex sibling relationships that most people can connect to.