Recently I was on a plane next to a nice young man, and we got to talking, as people do on planes, about anything and everything.  He’s a young journalist, and so we lobbed our favorite titles and authors at eachother for quite a while.  Then the subject of kids came up and I mentioned mine: the oldest in college and two school-aged daughters.

After I mentioned that I’m a mother, and an ‘old’ one at that (I don’t think he thought I was THAT much older than him!), the eyes shifted, the friendliness ceased and the conversation lagged. 

I was hurt.  I was just enjoying a talk through a turbulent trip, and all of a sudden I’d been labelled as aged and decrepit, and not worth someone’s time. 

Maybe I’m taking it too personally, but I don’t remember when I crossed the line into a generation or age group that renders me completely unappealing as a person. Just because I have children, am I now passe?  After the kids turned three I’m no longer the center of their world, so what appeal am I left with?

Don’t answer that.

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Delaney and Allie decided that they wanted to write about their experiences as Mae’s sisters.  I thought I’d share their words here…

Allie’s Essay

HOW IT FEELS TO BE MAE’S SISTER

When Mom brought Mae home, I thought everything would be good. When I saw her eyes, it felt warm inside. Having her home was a joy. I got to hold her the first time. When we heard the honking noise we were so surprised. Mom and Mae were at the hospital six days. When she came home I was so happy. I got to feed her a bottle. When I found out Mae was going to have heart surgery, I was sad. But it will make her feel good without oxygen. I hope Mae feels better after this surgery. I feel like the hospital does not want us. [Allie says this because she is too young to visit Mae.] But now everything changed. I get to brush her hair every day now. I want to change her diaper. And that’s how I felt ever since. THE END.

Delaney’s Essay

HOW IT FEELS TO BE MAE’S SISTER

When Mae was born, it felt like a blanket of love. I was so happy I was a big sister again! When I saw her, I was anxious to hold her but very careful.

When Mom and Dad brought Mae home, I thought everything was going to be perfect. But 7 days later, Mae went to the hospital again. One day, Mom brought Mae to the doctor. Mom said she was concerned about Mae’s breathing. They checked her breathing. They were concerned about it, too. If the doctors were concerned about it then they’re doing something about it. They did. They sent her to Children’s Hospital. But they were so concerned that they sent her in an ambulance.

But when Mae came home, she came home with oxygen. The best thing was we get to feed her with a bottle. But two weeks later we found out she was having heart surgery. I feel just a wreck knowing she’s going to the hospital. But we all know it’s going to make her better. But the best thing is she’ll have a brand new life. THE END

I will share any comments with the girls so please feel free to leave your thoughts!