Always Enough Room for Two

My twin sister and I were the luckiest little girls in the world, growing up. We had a mom and a dad that truly loved us but another set of parents...godparents who loved us tremendously. They didn't have children of their own at the time so we were their "Cookie and Candy" as they nicknamed us.

My godparents went to the same church we did and it was a known fact that we would sit in our godparents lap during service. My godmother had the most richest, wonderful singing voice. My godfather held both my sis and I on his lap at the same time. He would hand us each a piece of candy to keep the wiggles away.

We also spent time with them at their house where we loved tickling our godfather. He would pinch us and then we'd pinch him back. Eventually, it became our way of reminding him that we loved him, always writing on birthday cards, "Pinch Uncle Herschel for me." They brought joy to us as much as I know we brought joy to them.

One memory that I hold close to me is when Uncle Herschel decided to take us, "his girls" fishing for the first time. It was all we could talk about. It was going to be our outing. Needless to say, Uncle Herschel had to unstick our fishing lines from so many trees as we attempted to catch the biggest fish, that eventually, all he did was sit back and chuckle. I realized then, that that was what made him the happiest...spending time with his girls.

They moved to Michigan when we were 8 years old. It was a sad time for us. I never imagined what life would be like without them around.

Friday, my godfather passed away. The helplessness of knowing that his prognosis wasn't good was tough for me and my twin sister. We wanted to be there, to say goodbye, but most of all, give him one last pinch.

For now, we'll just have to owe him one!