By Lisa Marie Stahl
Ive often been asked if I work out or exercise to keep in shape.
Yes, I do. I have three private instructors. Theyre ages 7, 8, and 10, and theyre my sisters. They constantly keep me hopping. I bet I burn more calories making the three do their house chores then I would if Id do them myself.
Comparing their personalities, you would never guess theyre sisters.
The oldest, Lorraine, is just entering her carefree, free-loafing pre-teen years, which I hope and pray dont and wont last forever. She spends more time coaxing her younger sisters into doing her share of the chores then she spends doing them. If she can find the slyest way to talking herself out of them, shell currently give it a try.
I was cleaning off our kitchen table one evening, when I cam upon a doctors prescription with her name on it. Taking it in my hand, I began to read out of my head, Tests taken at the hospitals lab, state that Lorraine Stahl has allergies. Lorraine is allergic to physical labor.
Thinking that sounded pretty good coming from a doctor, she turned proudly to the room filled with people, and said, Well of course I have allergies. Didnt you know. But she quickly shot me a look of revenge when everyone burst into laughter.
Gloria, is my eight-year-old sister. Shes the serious one out of the three. If she concentrates on doing something of her liking and interest, shell give it her complete and undivided attention. Gloria is also very observant. Sometimes shell come home with the strangest questions for a girl her age. Shes also quick to make new friends, and to share and include them.
People who know her well, often come to describe her as the Tomboy out of the family. While her two other sisters would spend their spare time playing with friends of their own gender, Gloria would often be found in the company of her brothers, uncles and male cousins.
I often find her riding horses with other boys her age. Now that harvest time is here, she spends her extra time riding the grain truck or combine with her brothers and uncles.
Rhoda, the youngest of the three and the family baby, is our born actress. A bit too smart for her britches, some might call her. And how true. Rhoda cant walk across the room without playing a stunt of someone, then look totally innocent about it. Then shes got this way of telling a white lie and keeping a straight face about it the whole time. Id often find her in my room trying on my shoes and clothes then walking around in them, showing me how she can imitate me or someone else.
I was walking into the bathroom one day when I caught her in the middle of one of her acts. She was filling a glass of water at the sink. Smiling at me slyly she motioned for me to be quiet. Taking her glass of water she swiftly dumped it into the toilet bowl and proceeded to make loud gagging noises.
I heard her two other sisters comment, concerned, from the kitchen, Listen, Mom. Rhodas throwing up. She must be awfully sick.
With such a combination of three younger sisters, I can hardly say my family life is boring. Its far from that, because around each corner theres a new surprise waiting.
