Black Sheep (a tale of three sisters)
Our mother, civil rights fighter
Big sister
Rebellious, slutty teen
Now Fundamentalist Rightie
Middle sister
Former activist
Now Tea Party
Little sister
Feminist, liberal Christian social activist
Two drank Kool-Aid
I’m an orphan
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For Trifecta, the challenge was to use the “Rule of Three,” in exactly 33 words. Hope my sisters do not read this, but, hey, if they do, it’s true! The number three was always tricky, as Mom (social justice applying everywhere but in our home) often pitted us against each other.
Triangulation, thy name is Charlotte. Love you, Mom, but really…! Peace to all, Amy
Sharp Little Pencil 
Cameron
Wow. That is some honesty right there. I think my favorite part might actually be in the explanation, “triangulation, thy name is…”
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Cameron. I love your name, by the way! And yes, you’re right about triangulation. We always did a lot of (Something), thy name is (something) in my family, for some reason. My favorite was my sister who said, “Agony, thy name is stewed tomatoes!” Of course Mom didn’t like it much, but we all cracked up.
Annette Mickelson
Families are interesting, aren’t they. Your last line made me laugh.
kaykuala
An only son once confided what he wouldn’t pay for just a brother or a sister. Friendly banter,sibling rivalry,serious quarrels all would have been fun. ‘I didn’t have to fight for anything. I got everything I had asked for. In fact it came to the point that I didn’t value what my parents provided’ He envied those who came to school with a black eye from a brother’s punch. I supposed 4 in the family had been fun for you, Nice write Amy!
Hank
Lance
thanks you for showing us something so personal and raw. I love the last two lines. They’re unforgettable.
unevenstevencu
I know your sisters – or their types- must be some kind of family dynamic
Sharp Little Pencil
Combination of alcoholics, abuse of all kinds, and a strain of mental illness. Our DNA came out of the La Brea tar pits!! Thanks, and peace, Amy
dani
i would’ve liked your big sister when she was a teen. {grin}
good one, Amy! ♥
vivinfrance
This one is vintage Amy. Attagirl!
Roger Green
Yeah, my in-laws have gone through “changes” that are “interesting”, let’s just say…
Daydreamertoo
Families are all the same, really. We each grow up with different beliefs in both faith and the system and follow them. It’s our right to choose and hopefully we choose well. Have to live and let live, just as you have done and are doing and in the end, the truth will out. 😉
Thanks for your visit, and lovely comment 🙂
Lumdog
You’ve almost got the family history down in 33 words. Very clever how you did this. If your sisters read this, tell them you only had 33 words so the nice stuff wouldn’t fit!
Kerry O'Connor
I had no sister, but I’m the mother of two daughters and know how difficult it can be when three strong and independent women try to co-habit: toes will be trodden on, sides will be taken. I just hope I was never guilty of making one feel like a black sheep. Your words hit the mark.
Kim Nelson
LOL! I so relate, Amy! My youngest brother actually said “I don’t know where you got your crazy opinions and political beliefs. You were not raised that way.” You know, as if my more inclusive spiritual, social and political beliefs are like really bad manners… 🙂
hedgewitch
I often wonder how these dynamics shape us…it seems like all three here learned something–how to fight, and how to drag religion into it. ;_) I also like your explanation at the end. I was the older of three sisters, so I know all about that maternal triangulation–and also, in my case, playing of favorites. It does indeed make for orphans. Amazing what depth you got with just 33 words.
Sherry Blue Sky
You told a whole life in 33 words. Way to write and way to be, kiddo!
Linda Vernon
Superb!
Annabelle
Impressive bit of truth for so few words. Nicely done.
Libby
Funny how people change…and the whole family love/hate thing is odd too… Nice job capturing it 🙂
barbara
Amy, this is so gut-wrenchingly and honestly true. I was the middle of three girls – but always the eldest as my oldest sister died two days after birth. I wonder what those dynamics would have been should she have survived.
jannatwrites
I honestly don’t know how you did this with only 33-words. I feel like I just read a whole story. Amazing 🙂
oldegg
Orphans are easy to love, rightwingers less so.
Lazidaisical
Haha. This is great.
ohcgd
awesome writing..wrting about family is always…fun.
Jeanna
Ah, the kool-aid. This was fun. I’m the youngest of 3 daughters so I can really relate.
deanabo
My sister and I couldnt be more different. Its funny how that works.
Joseph Harker
I’m sure your mom was relieved that at least one of you turned out to have a heart. 🙂
wkkortas
As the cynic is simply a too-often disappointed optimist, so is today’s rebellious young lass tomorrow’s ultra-conservative, and we roll on, roll on. Brevity is generally a good thing, and this under three dozen words is spare as opposed to sparse.
purplepeninportland
I just love this one, having always been considered the black sheep.
Lindy Lee
Hey, Kermit, it’s not easy being green…
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