Sisters?!

Are you all sisters?!

To have two people I’ve seen my whole life and thanks to COVID just realizing how so alike they are is mind blowing. People always say they favor their father or mother in looks but my mom legit gave birth to herself! To first answer the question, one of these women is my sister and the other one is my mother. Let’s not gas her up, just kidding she looks bomb for her age! My sister is my mother in that they act just alike in work ethic and in fun. These two women are so creative in all their artistry sometimes it aggravates me that I didn’t get that DNA gene in full, I have like a quarter. I am humbled I get to continue to watch their creativity grow from where it use to be. I admire both my mom and sister aka the Lone Wolves. Along time ago like in grade school I remember my sister telling me she felt like the odd ball of our family and how she felt out of place but I think she fits perfectly. I’m the awkward introverted one who was just really good at sports which inadvertently meant more attention in a sense, at least that’s what she thought about it. She has always been the fearless one in saying what’s on her mind and expressing herself while I’m that shy novel text message writer that everyone hates. She’s independent, poised with a streak of rebellion, and unmoved by sappy romantic comedies that I ask her to watch with me. We are as close to similar as opposites can be. Refocusing on her talents, my sister has been designing things for as long as I can remember. I first noticed it when she stitched some denim jeans into a purse. She then would put different fabrics and outfits together, we all thought she wanted to sew clothes…wrong. Fast forward to her high school and college years she realized she didn’t want to be the seamstress but to be the person creating that one prototype for a factory to insure the desired quantity, the designer instead. She pretty much is self-taught in every aspect from hair to knitting to technology. She said you can learn how to do everything from YouTube, and proves it true to me every time. I watched her results in decorating a whole dorm floor in forest and flower like nuances, creating The Struggle Bus Project, freelance graphic designer and photographer work all the while making baby steps to her dream career of being a business owner creating an interior design line and graphic cozy wear. Think of it as like an Urban Outfitters but black owned.

My mother has always been good with her hands. She would always tell me that my great-grandmother would never let anyone touch her hair except her. My mother would always braid them into two long plaits because that’s the only way she would want them. I felt that because after the madness of losing my hair because of one “stylist” I definitely had my mom being the only person to do my hair until I left for college. My great-grandmother would then embed these word into my mother’s brain, “you have growing hands.” And I tell you what she has never forgotten that and I LOVE it! Sentimental things make life and love more enjoyable in my opinion. Everything my mom touches is turned into a masterpiece from hair, grass and plants, food, paint, fixing broken items and refurbishing furniture, literally anything. She too can look it up not knowing the ins and outs about it and after research execute it with successful outcome. I feel that out of her four other siblings she is too like the lone wolf, born into the “wrong” family. But lately in writing this I’m starting to feel she’s the complete opposite of them because God knew they would need her to be. None of them would ever admit that she’s their go to person for information or help when they want things done. I say its pride and well who wants to listen to their older sibling or own child when they are an adult themselves. I wish I got to meet the woman who planted that positive affirmation in my mother. I don’t think she understood in the spirit what that did for her, truly a blessing. The mere fact that she still remembers that says a lot also that it reigns true plays a key part in the type of person that she is. Anyway, my mother is a busy bee, a ride or die perfectionist which in hindsight I see where my sister gets her overthinking, self-critiquing moments from but who isn’t hard on themselves especially these days.

These two women have become a dynamic duo in meshing their love for creativity. Not caring what anyone thinks but each other while allowing the art to speak for itself and the desire to work for themselves to build something that can last. I wish I could tell you when their line will drop and when the world will get to see the fruits of their labor. As of right now only my father, our village of friends and I are the only witnesses to their talents, so just take my word for it. While I do admire my mother and sister they inspire me far more which is why I chose to write about them. It’s easy to say you admire someone but watching them grow over the course of my life thus far has made me want to go further and to take more risks. Like in sending those emails for positions in the fields I’m interested in that I’m supposedly not qualified for on paper. Why does everyone want to limit your potential to what your degree or resume says or doesn’t say? Nonetheless, one of those interests being writing has brought me here to Vocal. For the readers I hope you’re around people who you admire. From afar or up close, famous or regular Jane’s and Joe’s but more importantly inspires you to try all the things you can while you’re still here! Be well good people and much love.