August 30, 2007

Some things are worth not wearing makeup

I have a very carefully calibrated morning routine that allows me to wake up at 8 a.m. and catch an 8:45 a.m. train.

8:20 a.m. The Phone Rings. The caller ID on my phone shows my sister's house. I assume it's my Dad with travel plans since he's due to arrive this evening. He's spent a week in Seattle and now will join us for the next eight days.

"Imo?" It's my sister's voice. Why is she calling me Imo? I mean, I know it's what my niece calls me, but why is my sister addressing me as such?

"It's me." I venture. I'm a bit slow in the mornings.

"Blonde Niece has something she wants to tell you." This is indeed momentous, as the last few times we've tried 'chatting' on the phone it's been a random monologue with occasional laughter in response.

I hear fumbling noises, "Hey, girl! What's up?" I speak into the void.

"You come my hou ah ma nap?" I hear her breathy question and rapidly try to interpret.

"You want me to come to your house after your nap?"

"Yea!" She exclaims.

"Oh, sweetie, I wish I could but I live too far away. I won't be able to come today."

"Oh. You pla ma to?"

Silence. My sister rescues me, "I think she wants you to play with her toys."

Then more fumbling noises. In the background I hear laughter and then OTRsis gets back on, "She took the phone and carried it over to her toys."

8:27 a.m. My hair is still wet.

"Well, I should run. Can I call you back later?"

"Sure. Blonde Niece, do you want to say good bye to Imo?"

More fumbling and a breathy 'bye-bye'.

Quick hair dry. A dog walk and speedy bike ride and I make the train.

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How could you not be cheery and grinning the rest of the day after that beginning?

8 comments:

scarp said...

You can't not be. It would simply be impossible :)

Rachel said...

Sweet! She must really love you. I can't believe she is so verbal on the phone at her age.

Snickollet said...

Adorable! Very worth going without makeup.

Anonymous said...

You've got a great memory. That's verbatim.

The more she talks on the phone the easier it will be to connect and yet harder for you to stay away. It's all part of my grand plan to entice you and Jrex to move to rainy, gray, dark Seattle...okay, never mind.

Aimee said...

Sounds like the perfect beginning to a day!

Beloved said...

That's so sweet.

And your morning schedule? Impressive! I set my alarm for 4:40, get up at 5ish and leave to go to work at 7:15! Got to kick the makeup habit.

B.E.C.K. said...

So, so sweet! What a cutie pie. Worth going without makeup for sure! :-)

(Thanks for your comment on my site, BTW. I appreciate your kindness.)

Mama Nabi said...

That is so sweet - every time LN talks to me over the phone, my heart just melts...

What a great way to start a day!