An Auspicious Day

In addition to Memorial Day, this weekend marked the occasion of another celebrated holiday: the birthday of my younger sister.

In honor of this august occasion, I would like to share with you the secret of our close, loving and mutually-supportive relationship: a little game I long ago dubbed...

Who's Got the Toad?

My sister and I whiled away many pleasant hours playing game after delightful game of Who's Got the Toad? In case you'd like to try this at home with your younger sibling(s), here's how to play.

1. In addition to your younger sibling and yourself, you will need several other participants. Two is enough, but three or four is really ideal.

2. You will also need a toad.

3. Now - you and your compatriots should surround your younger sibling, each with one arm outstretched and hand closed, while chanting in unison "Who's got the toad?"

4. One by one you and the other participants should open your hands.

5. The person actually holding the toad should open his or her hand last - and deposit the toad on your younger sibling.

6. Merriment ensues.

In retrospect I am sometimes amazed that I survived to adulthood without being smother in my sleep by my sister. But then I have always been a very light sleeper.

Happy birthday Mary Margaret.