Sister Act
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, you can’t help but reflect on all the blessings in your life. One of my greatest blessings is my sister. She and I are close, not just in heart, but we are separated by only 15 months in age. Our poor mom. Can you imagine finding out you are expecting with a six month old? As crazy as that had to have been for our mom, it worked our great for my sister and I. It allowed us to share a room, share clothes and so much more. Of course, like all sisters, we had our moments growing up, but for the most part they were few and far between. She is one of my most cherished friends, confidants, and the best big sister ever.
Today, for some reason, this story came to mind and it still just makes me chuckle every time I think of it. Being the oldest she was the first to hit “40”. Her husband kept asking her what she wanted for this milestone birthday and she kept telling him that she just wanted time with her sister. Back at that time, life was just crazy busy for both of us and did not allow much opportunity for relaxation. Her sweet hubby planned a wonderful surprise weekend get-a-way the two of us. He booked us at a historic hotel in a quaint town in Illinois that had a fantastic downtown full of boutiques, restaurants and activities. He made sure we had money to do anything we wanted and we did. We had a great dinner, we shopped, had a fantastic Sunday brunch and hit a spa before leaving for home. A perfect sister bonding experience.
One thing you must know is that our family cannot just have normal birthday parties with a cake and balloons. Oh no, every birthday must have a unique theme. Over the years we have mastered this and have come up with some amazing ideas. I can proudly say I have never duplicated a theme. Each is unique and specific to that person.
I knew I had to come up with something great for this special birthday. In my mind, I kept thinking of her words… “ all I want is time with my sister.” Even though the movie Sister Act had come out 10 years earlier, we both just loved the movie and the music. So, the theme was born.
My brother-in-law came up with some excuse as to why they had to drive to a location that was half way between our two hometowns. We planned to meet in a parking lot of a truck stop as that was close to the route we had to take for the weekend destination.
My sister and family got out of their car only to find me standing in the parking lot,dressed as a nun, holding a sign that read…”It’s a Sister Act.” However, I don’t think she quite meant THAT kind of sister. I was donned in the full nun-suit!! The only think that might not have been authentic was the fact that I was wearing flip-flops.
Anyway, we hopped in the car and drove away. I wore the “habit” for the entire 90 minute drive. As luck would have it, mother nature called. We spotted a McDonald’s on our route and decided to pull over. We saw a big bus in the parking lot so feared it could be crowded and tough to make a quick run in and out, but we were low on options. Jokingly my sister said, “well let’s hope it’s not a church bus.” We made our way to the side door with my sister in her cute shorts outfit and me in my black nun costume. We opened the door to the restroom and smack dab in front of us are several nuns in full habits. Are you kidding me??? What are the chances?? I immediately went into the stall and shut that door as fast as I could because I knew that if I even looked at my sister we would burst out laughing. I literally was praying (not sure the fake nun-suit put me any closer to God, but it was worth the try) that the real nuns would leave quickly. I was trying to keep my composure. My sister, who has a fantastic sense of humor, could not let this moment pass by remaining quiet. Oh no, instead, since the other stalls were occupied, she remained outside of my stall and loud enough for the real sisters to hear her kept asking me questions prefaced by the word “sister.” For example, “Sister, are you ok?” “Sister, can I get you anything?” I am inside trying not to crack up. I finally opened the door and came out to wash my hands. One of the real nuns, gave me a little half smile as she stood next to me. This was just awful! The final straw was when the two nuns upon exiting the restroom simultaneously looked down at my flip flops. It was at that point I knew we were officially busted!!
You could not make this stuff up if you tried. Just too darn funny and a memory we will never forget. Without a doubt, her wish came true…she got to spend time with her sister and a few extra ones as well.
