The house, unusually quiet as I sit reading.
Then pounding feet on stairs, basement door banging open, and my eldest son of 19 runs into the kitchen, around the island and turns, poised, looking back the way he came, face bright and expectant.
I abandon my book and watch Sidney, wondering . . .
His younger sister, 14, slowly walks into the kitchen, popping her knuckles. Rachel moves around the island. Sidney moves in the opposite direction. She stretches her neck and shakes out her arms. He laughs, makes a run for the dining room table, putting more distance between them. She slowly paces him, menaces him with a glaring eye, a smile trembles her lips.
This has been a familiar scene since Sidney and I returned from Memphis 15 months ago. Rachel loves locking her arms around her older brother, his arms imprisoned at his side, while he tries to wrestle free. He twists and turns, dragging her from kitchen to dining room to living room. She hangs on for dear life. They fall to the couch, roll on the floor, twist their way back to their feet, lurch off walls and furniture.
Twenty minutes, thirty minutes — Rachel has a good, strong grip. I hope they don’t break anything, including themselves, but it is a vague thought. I am glad they play together. In those early days of our return home, Sidney needed exercise, needed to rebuild wasted muscle. During his tiredest days, escaping her grip was a fun distraction, a necessary workout.
I wonder if Sidney knows that Rachel needed those wrestling matches too. Still needs them.
His reticent and undemonstrative sister needs to wrap her arms tightly around a brother she loves and never let him go.
Prairie Sings 
As I began to read your post about the “activity” (LOL) between your two children, I immediately thought that this was Rachel’s way of holding on and no doubt, dealing with all the worries she has about her brother – and herself. I have two brothers that are my life – I cherish them beyond anything you can imagine. We can count on each other and we are there for each other. If I didn’t have them, I would feel that a part of me was missing. I hope they chase each other every day and cling to each other every day. Every day is precious and you know that better than anyone. Hugs to a wonderful Mom.
Ah, Nancy, you get me. Maybe the next time you see those brothers, you can have someone with a camera ready to snap a photo of you with a death-defying, love grip on them.
I can imagine the scene. Rachel with that quiet smile and Sidney laughing. I like that image. I hope they never get too tired, too old or too busy to remember play.
I love this sooo much Tina! Music to my ears. Love, Betty Kirk
Hi Betty! Sidney and I head back to St. Jude next Monday on the 23rd. Will you be there?