On the road again. After tearful goodbyes in Memphis, we drove on to Birmingham and rested there for the night. Three cheers for Craig who scored us a reasonably priced inn with one of the most decent breakfast we have had on American soil.
Pit stop. It has been over a year since we last visited Atlanta. We first explored this place with a former roomie. Since we were only in the city for a little over twenty-four hours, the Aquarium was easily everyone’s top choice of attraction to see for the day.
[It only takes a few minutes before we spout out code. One-liners, dialogue and expressions from our favourite films, ads, or conversations then there's an immediate understanding. A scripted conversation. The expected response. I am sure you know what I mean by "sibling speak". You communicate to your siblings a certain way. And it comes from our stories and shared experiences.
Years ago, I came across The Birth Order Book by Dr Kevin Leman and encouraged my siblings to read and discuss whether we agree with his observations or not. Like it or not, siblings teach us a lot of things (more in TIME on sibling relationships, with a photo essay on well-known brothers and sisters). We carve our identities in relation to them. And even though I have moved and formed my own family unit, I still see myself as a quarter (1/4) of the Rillera siblings.
With Jowanna, Jed and Jennifer in Atlanta, November 2009]
