That is the date, 42 years ago, when yours truly became a twinless twin.
I am 46 now.
15,340 days.
That is how much time has elapsed since a house fire claimed the life of the sister I entered the world with.
On the 3rd and 5th of that month all those years ago two of my brothers – 6 and 10 respectively – would also succumb to the effects of that night.
One of our older sisters – she was not quite 21 at the time – rescued the rest of us that night by tossing us one by one from a second story porch. She suffered many broken bones not only in her own leap but moments before in breaking down a door to get to our bedrooms. She still feels bad that she couldn’t get everyone yet many guardian angels were working overtime that night. I remember the night well – the paradox of the bitter cold air outside and the snow covered lawn with the intense heat and light of the fire and the blackness of the choking smoke. Our parents (younger then than I am now) were down the hall, separated from us by a wall of flame. Mom says she felt the Holy Ghost move her to get on her knees and pray that her children wouldn’t suffer because she knew some of us were dying.
This morning I woke up in a comfortable bed next to my beautiful wife with a dog curled up at my feet, my own children asleep in their rooms. I texted my sister. “Wife and kids say thank you.” Then I got on my knees and thanked God for her, for them, for a twin saint who, for 15,340 days has been praying for me before the throne of God.
The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.
Blessed be the Name of the Lord!
And if anyone reading this has also lost a twin, know that you are never alone.
Now where’s that bottle of gin…
Harvey Millican's Blog: Musings of a Trad Dad 