My Cousin Rachel was one of my first role models. I love her laugh and her sense of humor. Her honesty. It’s effortless on my part to summon up her beautiful Southern accent and the way she says certain words and phrases. When I was little, I wanted to do everything she did and be her, with her gorgeous clothes and endless (to me) boxes of shoes. I wanted to play the piano like her, so her long-suffering mother, who also played, would let me bang on it when I went to visit. I even wanted to grow up and marry her boyfriend Charles.
She was always kind to and patient with the little girl who idolized her, and my parents were crazy about her. My brother and sister were in her wedding to Charles. She and Charles are still together and as gracious and fun to be around as ever.
She’s one of the most beautiful people I know and still one of my role models. Happy birthday, Cousin Rachel!
Related: Cousin Rachel’s Wedding
I agree with everything you say. She is and always has been a beautiful person. She helped form our younger years. But you would have had to walk over me to get to Charles. If not for Rachel he would have been mine.
Dream on!
Oh, Becky, thank you so much for the birthday tribute. What would my teen-age years have been like without you and Debby? Charles and I love reminiscing about the dates we had with the two of you. I was very fortunate if I could manage to sit by him in the theater. One of you was always in his lap! Remember when Debby got into Mama’s makeup, smeared rouge and lipstick all over her face in order to look grown-up for Charles. Those were wonderful days! My how I miss your Dad and Mom! Thank you again for the unexpected, undeserved Birthday presentation!! Love you!
Never undeserved! Debby and I have loved you both all our lives, and it’s nice to be able to tell you so. =)
What a lovely post, and when I was a child I too sometimes used to like people so much I wanted to be exactly like them.
Thank you. =)