Friday 24 April 2009

Regarding Colette


















My sister Colette was born when I was 13 months old. Colette had two older brothers and six older sisters; she was the 7th girl born and the 9th child in a family that would be comprised of 13 children.

Many of my early memories of Colette are helped along by photographs. There are some of her sitting in a high chair with her blue/black hair; a couple of her and I in pajamas sitting on stuffed dogs or lions (I don’t remember which); teenagers going off to school; and pictures of us both in wedding dresses on the very same day.

Colette is so full of life and spunk it is unreal. You could never keep this girl down. If you tried she would eat your arm off and not by gnawing slowly over a period of days but by biting off big chunks over a period of a few hours.

When we would be in bed; and by we, I mean Mickey, Shelly and I in one bed and Jacquie, Camille, and Colette in the other bed, it was quite common for Colette to get out of bed and then prance back in the room making us all laugh. We would all try not to laugh because to release that first laugh was ammunition for Colette to come in the room and do the exact same skit for the next 40 minutes.

Colette has never been able to say a joke all the way through without laughing her head off at herself. ‘So yeah, you guys har har har ha ha ha har, yeah, this guy was selling orange juice and, har har hardee har har, etc.’ So if you can; imagine the laughter that would ensue. The laughter was never at the joke because we never got to hear it all. The laughter was at Colette who cracked her own self up.

When I graduated Grade 12, I got a 1965 Rambler Ambassador convertible from my parents. The car was beautiful and was white with red leather seats (okay it is not about the car), back to Colette. I knew something big was going down because all of my brothers and sisters were so excited and cameras were out and my parents were anxiously waiting for me in the yard. I saw the car with the ribbon and was like wow, I love it. But what really sticks out in my mind still is not the car, it was Colette’s face.

I can picture Colette’s face as clear as a bell. She was more excited than I was. She was happier for me than I was for myself. She was prouder of me than I ever could be of myself. And that picture that is clear as a bell to me even today has always spoken volumes of Colette and her good nature and love of others, especially of me.

Colette and I had a double wedding. She married her husband Rick and I married my husband Wahid. She loved our wedding and I didn’t like it at all. She always makes me laugh about it though because she will not let an anniversary go by without saying to me ‘I loved our wedding’ and I then say to her ‘I didn’t.’

Colette gave birth to her first child Rickie three days after I had my first child Angelique. I had a natural birth (with all the doses of all meds that they would give me) and Colette had a caesarian (now I can barely get through the story because I am laughing so much).

Colette and I were in the same room in the maternity ward and I remember while poor Colette is hanging on to an IV pole, I’m saying ‘let’s go see the babies’ and Colette can barely budge. She keeps trying and I keep going ‘oh brother, come on Colette, it can’t be that hard,’ and she can barely move. I know it isn’t funny, but for some reason it totally cracks me up. I see myself as an arrogant little shit-head who knew nothing but thought I knew it all. Thinking ‘I just had a baby too Colette and if I can jump through hoops so can you.’

As you can see, not only some of my happiest memories have involved Colette, but so have some of the most important.

Colette is still one of the people that can make me laugh when I’m not supposed to. You know when you are in church or at a funeral or saying the family rosary or if someone falls down the stairs and everyone oohs and awes, well all I do is look at Colette knowing full well that she is stifling a laugh and then we both bust a gut.

Another example of Colette’s humour is when I was really sad about my cancer situation, I would say to Colette that I am Debbie Downer and then an hour later she would call back and ask for Debbie and say it is her twin sister Dixie on the phone.

Contrary to what others might say I am Colette’s favourite sister.

Describing Colette I would have to say that she is a very attractive woman and still has long jet black hair with maybe one or four strands of grey in it. Colette has beautiful blue eyes and still is and has always been gorgeous. Colette is funny, loyal, honest, selfless, generous, open, energetic, game for anything, has a huge heart and faces the world head on. I am and always have been very proud that Colette is my sister.

Sisters written by Ruth Whitman:

When Nan and I were little
we sometimes used to fight:
she’d read my secret diary
and I would scratch and bite.

If she pulled up the window shade
I would want it down;
if she wore short pajamas
I’d wear a long nightgown.

But then we learned it’s better
to have a sister-friend,
someone beside you in the dark,
someone to hold your hand.

Now we’re glad my hair is long
and hers is short and curled.
The difference doesn’t matter:
we’re two against the world.


I love my sister and she means the world to me. Colette thank you for the privilege.

Happy 52nd Birthday Colette. Love Renee, Wahid, Angelique, Nadalene, Nathan, and Josephine.

*artwork by Kelly Vivanco

91 comments:

Once Upon A Blue Crow said...

Oh, I loved reading this."In the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips." Happy Birthday Colette!

Aleks said...

Congratulations dear Renee with your sisters birthday,hope you will have a great day,love to read and feel how you love your loveones.Your story made me laugh again,hon,you can write so good.Think of you,love Sandra!
Colette happy birthday!

Meghann said...

That was beautiful!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLETTE!!!!
How lucky you are to have such great family :)
I hope you are having a good day today Renee, with sunshine and laughter.
Hugs,
Meghann

Great-Granny Grandma said...

What a beautiful tribute to your sister, and what a wonderful gift she has--the gift of laughter. That is the best medicine of all.

Meghann said...

WOO the Opera! I have always wanted to go, I hope you have a FANTASTIC time!! Please, please tell us all about it afterwards!
LOL, I have "Fibro-Fog", I'm doing okay today, my muscles have decided to seize up (fun), but it is sunny and supposed to go to 20 here, so I am NOT complaining! I might try to sneak into the garden, lol, but I am definitely going to try and pick up some of the trash scattered along our country roads today, no matter how I feel.
I am sending you gentle hugs, happy thoughts and loving prayers,
Meghann

Polly said...

I loved every single word of this and I wish it went on a bit. I think many of us have great siblings but not many can to talk about them like you just did. Thank you for this post.

And Happy Birthday Colette!

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Happy Birthday Colette!! Renee - you are truly blessed to have such a wondrous big family - and so many sisters! Sounds like a fabulous childhood filled with love and laughter :) Have a wonderful weekend.

Sarah Sullivan said...

Happy Birthday Colette!! Lucky girl - every one should have something wonderful like that writen on their birthday.
Renee tht was beautiful!! I can see her face and her joy in your writing!! You have made her spirit come alive on the page! Beautiful hon!!!
Mhanon and Fox asked me to send you big hugs - they loooved their sweet gift from you. Miss Giggles - yup that's Nonni!! Huge hugs from me too - we needed that this week - but you knew that huh?
Love you and hugs, Sarah

Kaili Ittensohn said...

I laughed out loud reading about how Colette can never finish a joke because she's already cracking herself up. Hardy Har Har - I can relate! LOL. You are such a beautiful writer Renee, I loved reading this. I love having a sister too, and you reminded me of this! Thankyou xx

trash talk said...

Renee,
I want to start off by saying thank you for stopping by my blog. You're not southern by any chance are you...that was a very gracious thing to do. I appreciate it so much. Also thank you for your kind words about my g'daughter, Bella. Prayers are most welcome.
Your post on Colette brought back memories of my own sister. Yours was a funny, sweet read. I can't imagine sharing my wedding and my babies births with my sister...that would be too cool!
I just finished reading several of your posts and I totally get why your dear friends came up with the "Renee Award". (BTW, isn't Malisa a hoot?) Girl, you are an inspiration with your insight, humor and wonderful writing gift.
I will be checking in on you and I'll add you to my prayers and ask the prayer chain at church to add you as well. My dear friend Patti at Delighted Heart gave me a scripture about how prayer by 1 multiplied by 100 multiplied by 1000(I'm paraphrasing here, please excuse me) can bring down armies and defeat the enemy. I've seen it with Bella and I believe you will too!
Thank you again for sharing what is a difficult time for you.
Debbie

*jean* said...

what a lucky set of sisters you are!

kathy hare said...

Happy Birthday Colette! it sounds like you have a wonderful family Renee..
Kath
xoxoxo

kj said...

oh mysweetjesus,renee. this is as-good-as-it-gets in every single possible way. first, your writing ability is unbelievable. i could have read on for hours. you are an INCREDIBLE writer. do you know that?

and the way you describe colette, your relationship, your family, your love, and your wicked sense of humor. i could feel the church/fall-down-the-stairs giggles and could barely stiffle my own giggles--that is the best feeling ever and you nailed the description of it.

i don't have sisters and man i wish i did.

happy birthday colette. what a family you guys are. wow. what else can i say? wow. xoxoxo

Shelly said...

I haven’t had a good spell of laughing/crying at the same time in a while … I love Colette, I love what you wrote about her, and I love that she is my sister. Of all the sisters, Colette puts the most effort into our (sisterly) relationships. I have always admired that she really knows how to enjoy herself, join in and have fun ... her “slipped on a banana peel” style is so lovable.
Happy Birthday Colette, hugs + 52 kisses.

Art by Darla Kay said...

What a beautiful and fun story to read! It really makes me wish I had a sister :(

Happy Birthday Colette!

Hugs,
Darla

Jeannine said...

Happy Birthday Collette!!! Renee has described you so well and in such a loving manner. Another thing about you is that you still look like you are in your 20s. You look way too young to have those three beautiful grandchildren. Have a wonderful birthday!

Love from your wine drinking buddy
Jeannine

kathy hare said...

:)... xoxoxo

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Colette!

Renee, that was such a beautiful tribute! Colette sounds like such a lovely, joyful person! I am always drawn to people who laugh easily - they inspire me because they tend not to take life too seriously! You are blessed to have her for a sister. And she is equally blessed to have you.

Love audrey
xoxoxo

Unknown said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLLETTE....

Renee,

How wonderful to have a large family and a Sister like that. I have no sisters, only girl with two lil brothers. I always wished for a sister. I was blessed as I wished when I was pregnant that my first two children be girls. And I received that gift. Not for me but for them to know the bond of sisterhood. Thank you for this post..am going to print off and give to my girls to remember and look at being sisters as a gift.

Your bestest dark raven soul

xoxoxox Sonia ;)

Deborah said...

Oh YeS!!! Happy, happy birthday Dear Colette! The image of someone falling down the stair and you two "busting a gut" made me giggle out loud. Oh how I long for a sister. **blows kisses** Deborah

Oops! Desperate Blogger~ said...

This is such a lovely post. Sisters near and far are wiping a tear...from laughter and sweet memories. Happy Birthday Colette!

Anonymous said...

Ha ha ha! My new tag line is "Support Groups am I!" I am telling you, Renee...I am on a mission! In fact, I have an upcoming blog detailing my quest! I do need to pick up the Greg Anderson book! I will check out Amazon - or walk down to my favorite little book store, appropriately named, "Audrey's Books."

OH! And Renee, I have an upcoming blog about your beautiful city where I talk a bit about Prairie Sky Books!

GlorV1 said...

Renee, please wish yor sister Colette a very Happy Birthday for me and may she have many many more. What a great post for your sister's birthday, I am sure she was so happy. You are a great sister and a wonderful person. Have a great day amiga, my thoughts are with you.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLETTE!!

Unknown said...

ahhhhhh - sisters........that complex, confronting and comforting bond unlike any other xx

pinkglitterfae said...

Happy Birthday to your dear sis Colette! She sounds like a blessing in your life, and you are lucky to know someone so full of like!

Sue said...

Renee, you have such a knack for writing that each post readily evokes emotions from the reader.

Your sis Colette sounds like a gem and you obviously have a very deep bond.

A big Happy Birthday wish for Colette, and a Big Happy Friday wish for you.

Marion said...

WOW! What a gift to have such a wonderful relationship with your sister! I laughed along with you in the hospital (one of my sisters was with me in the delivery room for my 2nd child---she didn't have any children yet---and another lady and I had the same doctor and were about to deliver at the same time....but the other lady beat me by minutes and I remember my sister hollering at the top of her lungs, "Blow, blow, blow, DON'T YOU DARE PUSH, Blow......" LOL! The memory came rushing back reading your post. God bless sisters! I hope your Colette has a magnificent birthday. Thank you for posting that moving poem, too. I plan to share it with my sisters and my daughters. Blessings and Hugs from hot Louisiana!!

Julie said...

Another wonderful tribute! Happy Birthday to Colette, and Renee, you just keep outdoing yourself in the writing sector.

studio lolo said...

Birthday Blessings to Collette!
I wish she were my sister too. I could use a little laughter!
I remember busting a gut at inappropriate times too. It just makes you laugh all the harder. I always ended up breathless and wheezing!
What wonderful memories and love this family has! Thanks for sharing and for celebrating Collette. You're both lucky you have each other.
xoxoxoxoxo
Lolo

Rosaria Williams said...

What a lovely tribute. You are a lucky girl to have such a sister, and a whole lot of siblings to be friends with.

Your love shines brightly.

Micki Wilde said...

I was laughing too reading about Colette never finishing a joke because she's already laughing herself, both my son and daughter do that and their laughing is infectious!
You make me wish i'd had a sister, I love my brother to bits though and wouldn't swap him for the world!

Micki x

Anonymous said...

Now I love Colette..and I don't even know her..see what you did?..You write so beautifuly Renee..Words pour out of you so naturally and poetically..what a warm tribute to your beautiful sister.
Out of subject..did you ever get my little package in the mail?

Lori ann said...

Dear Renee,

How beautiful. What a gift that was to your lovely sister. I want to say what all your other friends here have said,and that you are so talented, and wonderful and blessed. I tell my sister I love her everyday. She's ok now, but you know how life is, we all never know. Thank you for sharing this sweet loving post, I am smiling.

love,
♥ lori

Ms. Lahtidah said...

How wonderful! Happy Birthday, Colette!
This makes me miss my sister, Sandy, so much. We were not quite as close as you and Colette, but I cannot imagine having lived my life without her and I miss her every day now.

Anonymous said...

I loved this Renee....
What a wonderful tribute to your sister on her Birthday. Do you live close to one another?

Unfortunately my sister and I have been estranged for the past year.... we were so close as children and adults... until some things changed between us. I miss her ~
Pattee

Renee said...

Ms Lahtidah were is Sandy now?

I have been looking for your site and now I see that you comment. Thank you so much for sharing with me.

Renee oxoxo

Anonymous said...

Oh sweet Renee..don't be like that..I just wanted to see that you received it..I'm happy you did and that you enjoyed it too...that's all (:

Fete et Fleur said...

You have an amazing gift for writing. I could clearly hear your voice and every emotion in it as you wrote of your relationship with your sister. I found you via your Renee award. Your journey has touched my heart.

Nancy

soulbrush said...

aaaawwwww, i don't have a sister, must be bliss...happy happy boifday colette. xx

Deanna said...

That was nice...I grew up with 2 sisters, and the once closest in age to me...well...we fought like cats and dogs. It's better now, but I missed out on alot.

I watch my 2 girls now, and they are like best buddies...Hopefully they turn out to be as close as you and Colette.

Deanna

Manon said...

Oh... I so enjoyed this post! Sounds like you have a very special relationship with Colette!! I loved the stories of you two!
BTW.... my mom comes from a family of 19 kids so I thought it was funny that you were from such a huge family also! I don't quite know what those Canadian women were thinking.....lol!

~Vintage Nina~ said...

Hi Renee! Thank you so much for the comment! I always smile when I see a comment from you! I loved the story about your sis. I have two and we have the same relationship. One of them (Hollie) always makes me laugh when I talk to her it can be news about the most horrible thing, and we are so twisted we will make it into a joke......we are always saying we are two sick girls in the head! Thanks for sharing your story, and tell your sis HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
HAPPY DAY!!!
~Nina

Lynne said...

Just want to say I lost my sis 15 years ago now and that beautiful post brought back wonderful memories for me - she too could make me laugh like no one else! I am glad you treasure your sister. Thanks for sharing this.

Eleonora Baldwin said...

What a wonderful woman you are. Thank you for introducing us to another special lady. Renee, your writing pulls out so many warm emotions as I read your posts.

Your loving tribute to your sister Colette gives us a glimpse at your very deep bond. One that should be treasured. Sisters are columns. Beacons.

A very Happy Birthday wish for Colette, and a loud and cheerful "Have a Great Weekend!" for you.

A Cuban In London said...

'You could never keep this girl down. If you tried she would eat your arm off and not by gnawing slowly over a period of days but by biting off big chunks over a period of a few hours.'

I've no idea why but the segment above made me chuckle. And yet it's pure cannibalism :-). I loved the tone, the playfulness, the blithe spirit. Many thanks.

Happy birthday Colette!

Greetings from London.

Daria said...

That is a beautiful post.

Renee said...

Lynne I am very sorry that you have lost your sister. I can't even imagine how that must make you feel.

Our memories we have to hold close to our hearts.

Love Renee xoxo

angelique said...

Happy Birthday Auntie Colette.

Bella Sinclair said...

Happy Birthday, Colette!!! It's quite obvious you've brought so much laughter and joy to many, many people. What a beautiful, bright, and twinkling soul you have.

Renee, I so loved reading this loving dedication. You share an incredible bond with all your sisters, but Colette -- she's practically your twin. Same wedding, same pregnancies.... Wow! To have someone you can share private, inside jokes with, who can make you laugh with just a look because you KNOW what they are thinking, well, that's pure magic, and it doesn't happen very often, even amongst sisters. Sure makes going over life's bumps a lot easier to take. I have an older sister, and my daughters have each other. Sisters are just awesome!

Delwyn said...

I would say that you are very lucky to have Collette

and she is very lucky to have you...

Happy days Collette

Kate James said...

What a delight! I can see bits of myself, my sister, my mother and my own daughters in your story. We all have the same slightly wicked sense of humour that has us laughing at the most inappropriate times.

Don't you just love having a sister?

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

We had a laugh Renee about your low calorie cookies!! I must admit it is a constant temptation in our home with all the yummy things that Sarah bakes :)

Brenton arrived home last night from his adventure - he had a wonderful time. He had the opportunity to be interviewed on Canberra TV and has been short listed for a national TV science show. It was an amazing opportunity for him - but it is so good to have him home :)

We are busy baking up a storm for my Dad's 70th birthday party on Monday. Enjoy your weekend, Lisa

Kate James said...

Renee, I just realised that my comment may seem insensitive coming just after yours to Lynne who has lost her sister...I should have written 'aren't we lucky to have known the gift of having a sister'. Please feel free to alter my original comment xx

Tammy said...

Hi Renee,
What a Great Sister story..
Renee, Glad you stopped by and Thank You for your thoughts..
Would it be alright if I add you to my Fav..Blogs on my Page?
You seem like such a great person, and Girl you can Write...
Your story was so well writen, you made me laugh..LOL..
Have a Great Night!
Hugs
Tammy

Mim said...

lovely lovely lovely -

Two Mile Creek Primitives said...

Ohh I wish I had a sister.. I wish I had a brother. I am an only child. My Dad has been gone over 23 years.. Mom is in her 80's. I never had kids ..You are so VERY lucky... very lucky. Hugs Rene

Two Mile Creek Primitives said...

Hey Renee...Family Pictures ... When you have time Pictures!! Please!The art is wonderful and pieces I never knew were out there.. Now..Important pictures!! Hugs Rene

Ces Adorio said...

A beautiful loving trubute to one fine sister. Colette is a girl after my own heart:

"Colette has never been able to say a joke all the way through without laughing her head off at herself. ‘So yeah, you guys har har har ha ha ha har, yeah, this guy was selling orange juice and, har har hardee har har, etc.’ So if you can; imagine the laughter that would ensue. The laughter was never at the joke because we never got to hear it all. The laughter was at Colette who cracked her own self up."

I LOVE YOUR FAMILY!!! I enjoy imagining all of you in one room so noisy and happy. What a beautiful family you have Renee.

I was smiling reading this post from beginning to end. You are a fine fine sister Renee.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLETTE! So you danced the disco right? You loved the nightlife, you loved to boogie? RIGHT. Right on girl!

I WANT TO MEET COLETTE!!!

Every Photo Tells A Story said...

I'm a little jealous since I'm an only child, but Colette seems like a wonderful and fun "sister-friend" to have.

Happy Birthday, Colette! I'm sure that Renee is your fave;) Har-har-har!

Have a great weekend, my friend.

Love Nancy

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

What a lovely and funny tribute to your sister, Renee. I am one of seven children. I have 4 sisters and 2 brothers. Family brings so much joy, laughter and yes, heartache. That is life!

How lucky to have shared such life changing experiences together!

Happy Birthday to Colette.

Stay Cozy, Carrie

Anonymous said...

i giggled and laughed my way through that whole post....loved it, really really loved hearing about you two!
Happy Birthday Colette, may happiness rain down on you like raindrops on flowers.
xxxmango

p.s. i wrote a little something for someone whos name begins with the letter R, hmmmm i wonder, could that be YOU!!(LOL), for you and a couple of other friends. it is the last blog entry on my site.
love love and more love for you.
xxxm

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday AC

You truly are selfless.

Thank you for everything you have done for Pudding over the years.

Thank you for everything you have done for me.

Thank you for being the only person I know who still wears holiday theme earrings!

I love you

Nadia (aka Donna Downer)

juliet... said...

You are so lucky to have a sister and a friend. The sister part is easy ~ the friend part is not always so.
My sister and I are 18 months apart and shared a bedroom until she moved out after high school graduation (Thank GOD for her graduation!).
As kids, our room was so small that even though we had our own beds, they were so close together we could easily swing a leg out and kick the other ~ even when we moved to a bigger bedroom, I sure as hell wanted to keep kicking.
Sometimes I still want to kick, but the distance between our homes is a 15 hour (yes, HOUR) car trip. With gas prices as they are, it just isn't worth the drive.
Actually it has been 10 years since I was ready to really kick. It was a time I'll never forget. It defined our relationship ~ When my husband and I announced our engagement, she told my new husband-to-be that he was "brave".
I don't think I'll ever forgive her for that comment ~ she's always been a bully.
Sorry to rant ~ it just hit my 10-year-old sore spot.
The sister part is easy ~ the friend part is not always so.

Kate Robertson said...

Renee,

I too loved reading this story of two sisters. The artwork matches it perfectly. Thanks for sharing it and wish Colette a Happy Birthday!

Kate

Anonymous said...

A sibling is a treasure you bury when you are young only to discover again when you are older.

nollyposh said...

Oh stop it Renee! How can i be laughing and crying at the same time!
...and you bring back so many memories of me and my sister tOO <3
~HaPPy BirThdAY~ fuNNy girl Colette x

CarolineH said...

this so made me smile. Happy Birthday Colette. <3

Anonymous said...

A very happy birthday to Colette!

Ms. Lahtidah said...

Renee, my sister Sandy passed in 2001, in October. She was my older sister and I never thought I would be without her. I remember we used to laugh laugh laugh when we were teens. It was a complicated relationship as we are both creative, erratic souls - but a loving one. I don't blog (yet!)

Anonymous said...

Good Morning my Dearest Renee: (My Gut is killing me; my face is drenched with tears)

Could you feel the kisses and hugs, the love I felt from your BLOG Regarding Colette it was so overwhelming to me that I just sat in (a big fat Blown out of this world BIG Head, loved it!) Nothing could describe my feelings of what you wrote, and how I felt and I want you to know that I appreciated it so much. Thank you, thank you. Renee, I love you.

Of course now down to business re: a little confirmation, a little of my recollection of the REGARDING Me (wow, that title even. (here goes my chance to repeat it for the entire 40 minutes, REGARDING COLETTE, is so warm, so beautiful))

REGARDING COLETTE: Better known as her bark is worse than her bite:

“Colette is so full of life and spunk it is unreal. You could never keep this girl down. If you tried she would eat your arm off and not by gnawing slowly over a period of days but by biting off big chunks over a period of a few hours”

You give me credit to work up to it
– Never does it take me a few hours, I have the unfortunate ability to go from

SIZZLE TO BANG in just a few seconds and I also have that LOOK
don’t cross me now – so yes Renee is correct, I am fun, Sizzle To Bang and Back.

REGARDING COLETTE: funny, loveable Colette

“When we would be in bed; and by we, I mean Mickey, Shelly and I in one bed and Jacquie, Camille, and Colette in the other bed, it was quite common for Colette to get out of bed and then prance back in the room making us all laugh. We would all try not to laugh because to release that first laugh was ammunition for Colette to come in the room and do the exact same skit for the next 40 minutes.

Colette has never been able to say a joke all the way through without laughing her head off at herself. ‘So yeah, you guys har har har ha ha ha har, yeah, this guy was”

LMAO: This is so true, but let me tell you all how this would truly go down:

So Renee would say to me when no one was listening, there is this guy…., so when we go to bed you come in and tell us all, then tell it again, I would think it was so dam funny that I was really just as described laughing before I could get it out (caught, but yes who was the instigator?)

“The laughter was at Colette who cracked her own self up.” I did crack myself up, still do and love it.
And you did not laugh at me, you laughed with me….!


And the arrangement of who we slept with on this particular night was:
The other girls in the top bunk (Mickey, Shelly, and Suzy) please note Camille is missing..
(See here you go, I am laughing so hard that I can hardly tell this one because it is so FUNNY. You with me?)

So it goes: from front to back Jacquie, Colette, Renee on the bottom bunk: lights are on we are reading. I say I’m tired, Renee says Colette, I still want to read, trade sides with me, of course I do (cause, I’d do anything for Renee). As always, I turn to face the wall, I am laying there, up from under the bed comes a Hand, I am confused, scared, panic, pull the hand into mine feel it to see if it is real, start screaming, and I mean screaming, the rest of them are laughing, mom comes in running. CAMILLE comes flying out from under the bed and Mom is screaming at her, Camille you are really going to get it, everyone is still laughing and Mom (beautiful, loving mom, hugs me and consoles me, I am thinking YEH, I am moms favourite, I knew it, and they are in trouble), just as fast as my thought, I started to see the humour and laughed…. Of course mom laughed to and then as always, mom would reprimand them once again… NOW get to sleep!

When Renee graduated from grade 12, I was head over heals with being both proud and excited for her, and you she was such a good sister, she even let me driver her car, funny what Renee saw in me, I saw in her (she always had the proud of me look, she still does)

The Wedding was fantastic, what better people to share such a precious day then to share it with Renee and Wahid, July 5th will be our 34th wedding anniversary and I still love my man, and I still love that we had a double wedding (something to be proud of, don’t you think?) So Renee & Wahid, Happy Anniversary on July 5th, and Renee, I did love our wedding, come on, admit it, you loved it too!

Yes in love and in baby land! What Renee failed to say was that she was quite willing to almost kill poor Wahid for not getting to the bank to get the money to pay the doctor to just give her a c-section, and from her description of me (who by the way did not complain about the pain…) Let me ask you, could you see her JUMPING THOSE HOOPS?

I will definitely go to confession, guilty of the laughing at church, but the reality is that it was more likely a nervous giggle.


REGARDING COLETTE: What you feel, I feel too
“Another example of Colette’s humour is when I was really sad about my cancer situation, I would say to Colette that I am Debbie Downer and then an hour later she would call back and ask for Debbie and say it is her twin sister Dixie on the phone.”

The phone really irritates me, I want to be there.

“Contrary to what others might say I am Colette’s favourite sister”

You are without a doubt my favourite sister Renee, there is no other Renee (my dad, my mom, my nana taught me this trick) we are all special and favourite because I am the favourite “52 year old sister, Colette and there is no other Colette” Now, ain’t that funny, it took me a very long time to realize that, I believed it to be true and it is….lol


REGARDING COLETTE: Beautiful
“Describing Colette I would have to say that she is a very attractive woman and still has long jet black hair with maybe one or four strands of grey in it. Colette has beautiful blue eyes and still is and has always been gorgeous. Colette is funny, loyal, honest, selfless, generous, open, energetic, game for anything, has a huge heart and faces the world head on. I am and always have been very proud that Colette is my sister.”

Isn’t that the greatest thing about love, people see you how you want to be seen, beauty is skin deep and is truly the on-lookers perception. Thanks for seeing me this way Renee, because you really show that family, friends, the people in your life are what really matters and yes having a double wedding and sharing in on the most private moments in life, the most precious times of our lives is what memories are made from. A friend is a friend, but there is no one like a sister and I have been blessed with the most beautiful sister, so the privilege is all mine.

Thank you, I love you. This is beautiful, hope the page is not to wet, I laughed, I cried and laughed and cried, you got my number….lol

Thank you to all that have taken time to respond to Regarding Colette, I look forward to reading all the comments and wow there are 65 of them. (can't wait to read them all)

angela recada said...

This was just beautiful, dear Renee! As an only child, I always wished to be part of a large, loving family like yours. You are all so lucky to have each other and all the memories of times you have shared. Happy Birthday Collette!

kendalee said...

My sister also had a Birthday this week and I was so touched to read your tribute to Colette because it resonated with me in so many ways. Sisterfriends are the best! We are lucky to have them in our lives.

A Gift Wrapped Life said...

Ahhhh.........you make me miss my sister. They are the best and your post reminds everyone of that. Beautifully-written. No, I haven't been to Pine Falls, but think I should go one day. Have a wonderful weekend.

jacquie said...

renee i ddn't know that colette sat while Kelly Vivanco did her portrait...quite the likeness.
happy birthday ac....
thanks for the walk down memory lane girls.... all true stories.
i laughed out loud and could actually visualize all of it. i am with nadalene ... you also had sweatshirts to go with those theme earrings... but i also know someone else who wore the earrings ...jennifer....who is like her auntie colette in many other loving ways.
love ajs

Mickey said...

OH MY GOD RENEE this is such a sweet post and a wonderful tribute to our beautiful and yes full of life sister Colette. HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLETTE. You are such a doll. Really beautiful inside and out. My favorite is of you telling us jokes or doing the same skit over and over at bedtime I am honestly killing myself laughing right now I can see you just bursting a gut while saying "and then har har har wait this is what happened har har har." You are tooo funny.
Really this is a perfect story about a perfect sister to have. I love you soooo much also. Man are we sisters blessed really truly blessed. I miss you all the time although I feel I do not say it near enough. Have I told you lately that I love you.

Colette I am so proud to be your sister I adore you. Love Mickey

taylor said...

Happy Birthday Auntie Colette.

I feel we share some of the same traits, and I wouldn't want to change that!!

xoxo.
Taylor

Ps. I when I read the hand creeping up the bed I laughed so hard... harder than I laughed when 3 brothers hid under my bed and grabbed my foot. (now that, was not a funny moment.) hahah

coloredsock said...

i bet these words made colette cry (in addition to laughing)... what a beautiful gift. i imagine she would write something just as beautiful about you. i hope you are well. i'm loving loving this time with baby Tulsi. i'm completely in love. thanks for your message.

Ces Adorio said...

I want to meet Colette!!!

Wendy said...

That was a beautiful tribute to your loving sister. How lucky you both are!
Thank you for visiting my blog (s). Yes, I do write all my own stuff. The one you were referring to "Who are You" was more like channelling. I look at the pic and a story comes out.

Draffin Bears said...

Happy birthday Colette!

I loved reading about you and your Sister, Renee ~ such a special bond with a Sister's love.
I have a lovely Sister also.

Hugs
Carolyn

Ces Adorio said...

I think I love Colette!

Woman in a Window said...

She sounds like a perfect sister, one much in need. Happy Belated.

Jeanne Estridge said...

Found you over at Mad Texter's.

What a wonderful tribute to your sister! My "baby" sister turns 49 today.

I'll be back!

Wendy said...

Just beautiful!

Jen said...

I enjoyed this oh so much! Collette sounds like such a lovely woman :) Thank you for sharing!

rochambeau said...

Happy Birthday to Colette,
Your sister sounds marvelous and I love your special brand of love for her. This is a wonderful post Renee!
You are a good writer and an excellent person.
It's funny how you didn't like your wedding and your not afraid to say it.
Thinking about Colette and her sense of humor makes me SMILE!
with happy tears &
Love,
Constance

Jaqi said...

Oh Renee, what a lovely read this was, I feel like I know your sister , you have written this post so well, i really enjoyed it.
Hope Colette had a great birthday, and I hope you are having a good day. Take Care Jaqi

Camille said...

Happy belated birthday Colette! What a beautiful tribute to our sister Renee. Had a good laugh over the stories. Happy Birthday Colette! Love You

Judy said...

Renee,

I came here via Marion Barnett's blog; you are inspirational and I loved your sister stories and I love the poem.

Coreopsis said...

What a beautiful tribute to your sister! You two are so lucky to have each other! I feel so honored to get to read about this.

Anonymous said...

Holy shit, I love you!!! Thank God for stable.