Patricia and Madeline #2

Patty and Maddy entered the gym in their virtually identical workout wear of plain white shirts, black Lycra shorts and white tennis shoes. The only deviation from each other was Patty's purple gym bag and Maddy's bright blue one. Although the sisters were not twins, recently it became even more difficult for people to tell them apart. 

Just last week, before going to Maddy's daughter's (Angela) house for dinner, Patty had decided to get a new summer/Easter haircut as it would be quite warm soon. Her young hair stylist had suggested a "new and fresher" look. In all her years, Patty had never given much thought to her hair making a difference in her age - she believed "You are only as old as you feel." The stylist seemed so excited, however, that Patty let her go ahead and "freshen" her look. Truth be told, Patty did kind of worry though when the stylist brought out the black electric hair clippers that she has seen barbers use. Her stylist reassured her and went about making Patty younger with each slip. 

For four days Patty could not have been happier with her new style. Her grey hair was shaved on the sides, with her natural curls arranged wildly on top of her head. She had gotten lots of compliments and well - she was feeling younger and more special whenever she went out. Unfortunately, it was four days into her new hairdo when Maddy decided she liked it too. Anyone with a younger sibling knows how this works- as the older you are not allowed to have anything to yourself - if the younger one wants it - they get it. 

Maddy had gone to Patty's stylist and a mere 45 minutes later, they were more "twin-ish" than they had been in years. This blatant act of sibling terrorism had bothered Patty for all of about 30 minutes when Maddy surprised her with her new look. To be honest, they had much bigger fish to fry when it comes to important things in life.

Although it seemed longer, only a week ago Angela (Maddy's daughter), had asked them to come over for a late Easter dinner - she had "important news" to share. Although they had tried in the three days before the dinner to guess Angela's news, nothing they had considered even came close to the bombshell Angela dropped that evening.

Patty and Maddy's family had always been devout Catholics. Their parents would take the girls to mass at least once a week, preferably twice. Maddy had carried on the tradition with her children, feeling expose to the church and its teaching were important for moral development. Patty was named as godmother to each of Maddy's children so she could also help in steering them in the right direction. Additionally, both sisters had tried to instill the same work ethic and sound judgement in her children that their parents had instilled in them. Patty and Maddy felt they had succeed - and then the dinner.

Angela's important news had been the topic of conversation for Patty and Maddy since that dinner.   Breakfast, lunch, dinner and the daily workouts had been consumed with questions and pondering. (Patty had even given up her upright bike to use the recumbent ones Maddy preferred.) Was Angela being reckless? Wasn't she too old to be even thinking about this? Wouldn't she need some money? Everyone needs some kind of income. Was this just a phase? What if she couldn't make it work - who would help her? Giving up everything for a dream and a man (and if it had always been a dream- why are they just not hearing of it)? Is it crazy to be moving across country to Colorado Springs in just two weeks?

No matter how much they debated the decision - they knew that Angela's mind was set. In just two weeks, Angela would be leaving to start her postulancy at the Carmelite Monastery of the Sacred Hearts.   

Patricia and Madeline

Patricia and Madeline (or Patty and Maddy as they had been called since grade school) were often confused for twins. They were sisters, but they were born just 9 months apart and because of their birthdays it worked out that they started school together. Patty was older by 9 months and never let Maddy forget it whenever an argument arose. Luckily arguments became less and less as almost seventy years passed and their hair had greyed.

Each girl had gone their seperate ways after high school. Patty staying at home while Maddy married her high school sweetheart. Maddy and her husband started their family right away, having two children before she was 21. Patty on the other hand studied and became a nurse for a local clinic. 

All that had been many years in the past. Patty had retired over ten years ago from the clinic. She moved in with Maddy after her husband passed away in 2002. Now their lives centered around Maddy's four grandchildren, their volunteer work (Patty still volunteered at local clinics) and their trips to the gym.

When Maddy's son had suggested the sisters start visiting the gym - they both had scoffed, stating "they were too old for such foolishness!" Her son, however, would not deterred and brought them to work out with him over a year ago. Now Patty and Maddy enjoyed their almost daily trips to the gym. They each had bought a set of colorful weight gloves to protect their hands on the rough machines. They discovered if they did not understand a machine, often the most bulkiest of men were willing to help them figure them out. They developed quite a following now, waving and smiling at the tattoed weight lifters as they walked through the gym. 

They had agreed when they first started coming to the gym on their own that they would enjoy their workouts. They would always share a machine so they could talk (ok, gossip) while working out. After the machines, they would take the elevator upstairs to do a little cardio. This is where Patty and Maddy would split. Patty preferred the upright bike, while Maddy preferred the recumbent bike. Another 20 minutes and they would be done for today. 

They were both looking forward to going to dinner this evening - a late Easter dinner at Maddy's daughter's house. Her daughter had called on Saturday and said she had important news. The sisters had been debating about what it might be since receiving the call. Her daughter had never married and was "too old" for children so they debated about what the news could be.  Either way, they were looking forward to seeing her and spending time with family.