The first of many stories ... this one age 6

Have I mentioned that I have a lot of sisters? Well, I do! This is one story about one of them and the trouble an older brother can cause a younger sister, even at the young age of 6.



At age six, I already had four sisters, one older and three younger. -L-, my immediately younger sister, was something of a tomboy ... (well, she still is something of a tomboy, but more feminine!) and would follow me around and do what I did, though she always tried to climb higher up the tree or jump down the more dangerous cliff, etc. Naturally, when I discovered that I could climb a tree and access the roof to the LDS building next door, she wanted to give it a try too. -L- was only 4 years old when I taught her how to climb a tree. My brotherly intuition told me that she would probably need the skill later on life anyway! While I was the "lead scout" on this tremendously "important" adventure, -L- claimed that she was only following behind me because I had started up first!



We had a fun time climbing up that tree, zig-zagging around the branches on our way up, until the moment of glory! we reached the eave of the roof and could practically walk onto the LDS roof. Oh, by practically, I mean that one kicked their foot out and leaned a great deal until the foot struck steel roof.I made it with nary a worry, and stepped onto the roof and came back to the edge to help -L- cross over. I grasped her hand, she looked into my eyes with undying trust, and, with a mighty YANK!, she too secured footing on the two-storied roof of the LDS building. Victory was ours!



We frolicked and played and ran merry races until we were called in for dinner. (My mother's great voice ringing in the air "It's time for dinner!") At this point, I remembered that we needed to get BACK on the tree and climb down to the ground, for remember, this was a two story building. At 6, I can claim that Daredevil characteristics were running rampant in my veins ... it was nothing to take a running start and jump onto the tree, grasping trunk and limb with both hands and hanging on for dear life (all with the feeling of indestructability!). My sister -L-, on the other hand, was not a Daredevil and lacked the childish stupidity required to jump from a roof to a tree in order to reach the ground. She told me thus, and so I had but one alternative left ... tell the folks at home that I had led -L- up a tree and onto the LDS roof and then promptly left her there. My dad and I had "words" (mostly OUCH! and SORRY!) but I am happy to report that -L- survived the experience - if only to follow me into more and more "adventuresome" dangers.



Ah, youth ... such a tragic thing to be wasted on the young.



Yours, cordially

Jinxedy