She was the one thing that made us friends. Being seven and five the fact that we are sisters are not what tied us together just the imaginary friend one of us made up and the other adopted. Paussle.The chick who lived on welfare with her many kids and had a towel or sheet as hair. Sometimes she was tall and model thin others short and fat. Somehow her kids always cut into whatever conversation we were having and she always had a new boyfriend and another child with her. We loved her. After a while we Christine and I lost contact with Paussle. Christine discovering boys and makeup. Me doing housework and taking care of various nephews and nieces. There wasn’t much room for our imaginary friend. Life twist and turned as it is oft to do and now years later I have become this proud black hippie living in Seattle and Christine became Chris. As I put my latest batch of homemade yogurt in the fridge and juice up some fresh carrots and ginger, I wonder how Christine is doing. Hearing that she might have breast cancer is startling. We shared our childhood together for the most part and as teens, our destinies took different paths but Paussle was always there in the background. Constantly making us recognize each other as childhood friends. It is that variable that makes me pray she doesn’t have this horrible disease. I do know what it is like to hear those words from the guy in the white lab coat saying that life is shorter than I once thought. But I chose to believe that MS is just a nuisance not a death sentence. Throughout my life I have watched some of my friends and family deal with breast cancer like I never ever wanted to. Some died (Hazel Porter), others survived and have been living for quite a while (Dee Brown, Martha McQuillion). All are important as that those childhood girl dreams. I am praying for my sister mightily I only hope she finally makes the right steps towards good health and healthy choices.
