Marta-through-the-Window, 1959

Marta – who was soon to become Marta-Roonie-Bobs, then Roonie and sometimes Rooners – came into my life on May 30, 1959.  She was not quite five and her father (who was not yet quite my husband) had come to my son Charlie’s third birthday party.  She was beautiful, even then, and had a mysterious ‘presence’ that she has never lost.  Today is her 59^th birthday.  Hard to believe!

She calls me Sydley (I can’t remember why), her “second mom.”  She is my first and only daughter.  We’ve seldom used the word “step” in relationship to ourselves.  Too many negative connotations from the Cinderella sorts of fairy tales and our relationship just wasn’t like that.  We’ve been role models to one another as well as ‘sisters’ and friends.  Sometimes, months or years go by that we don’t see much of one another but, when we finally do get together, we pick up right where we left off.

Marta-in-the-Here-and-Now

When I think of Marta, I think “artistic,” “theatrical,” “musical” – not necessarily in that order.  One of her first paintings graces the wall of my office and one of my fondest travel memories is of Marta singing with the minstrel at a castle dinner event in England.  But, mostly, I think of her laugh – so infectious and, so often, out of nowhere.  Marta has the gift of easing difficult situations with her sometimes off-beat humor – a survival technique that has stood us both in good stead over the years.

If only Oysterville, Washington and Greenbrae, California were closer or time travel were a reality.  Until one of those things happens, I’m sending virtual birthday hugs and a boatload of good memories!  Happy Birthday Beautiful Rooners!