Remembering Tickle Time

One of our favorite past times as kids was to soothe each other at night by "tickling" each others arms.  "Tickle my arm, please, please, please?????"  That phrase rings in my head like it was yesterday.  Tickling to Chrissy and me meant  light soothing fingertips across the limbs.  It was relaxing during the sleepless nights, and many a nights Chrissy and I took turns comforting each other.  That's what sisters do, other than quarrel over clothes and/or chores, we also helped each other.  No one could ever take the place of two sisters chatting quietly late at night, while each of us took our turns comforting the other.  As the older sister, though, I would always want her to go first; that way I could weasel out of my turn.  Sad, but true, I was scheming the plot before it all went down.  With all that gentle tickling, it could easily put you to sleep.  You know what I'm saying?  I can almost hear the frustration in her young voice as I would pretend to be sleeping after ten minutes or so.  For five minutes she would gently shake me, at first whispering, "It's your turn now, Barbie...... Barbie," and then it progressively got louder and more annoying;  my body still lying motionless.  We slept in a trundle bed in those days, and I was on the top bed, and she slept below me on the lower bed with my arm dangling over the side.  Before I knew it, she would threaten to yell for mom, then the gig was up.  I had to take my turn tickling her arm, but I swear I was able to shorten the minutes as the older sister who insisted my time was accurate.  It warms my heart to think about such simple times.  Back then, life seemed carefree because there was so much to think about: school, friends, televison, parties.  It really was so simple then.......and we grew up, and life became more complicated.

It's amazing what comes out of your mouth when you're trying to cope.  As I layed next to Chrissy in her final days, not always knowing what to say or do to comfort her, I would pray.  Pray for her, pray for us to accept, pray for hope.  None of us really knew what was best, but we tried, and that's all one can do in those circumstances.  Many times I felt the strength of Job or the Holy Spirit entering my body, whatever you might think takes over your body when you know it's not you doing it, or atleast I felt that way.  All sorts of thoughts race through your mind as what to say or do for someone who is dying.  Sometimes humor helps, story telling, tears, hugs and even comforting thoughts.  As I was lying next to her, the thought of those tickle nights in our childhood beds came to mind, and I recall whispering to her one morning as her eyes showed discomfort,  feeling the pain.  "Sissy, guess what, I am going to tickle your arm first, it's my turn.....close your eyes now and relax."

On that morning in December of uncertainty, never knowing if I would see my sister's eyes sparkle again, let alone smile,  I saw the biggest sheepish grin beam across her face......teeth and all.  She didn't have to ask or beg as we always did when we were younger. She had remembered our treasured time together, and now it was my turn to tickle first.  I can't imagine what was happening in her world, knowing her days were numbered.  I will cherish and remember that moment forever in my life, subtle glimpses of her earthly presence...............as it was to happen the following morning that she passed on to her new life.

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