It starts with a visit, an occasion, a vacation or a get-together. No formalities required, no need to check on common interests either. The age when we are introduced is optimal, it is enough to know that we share a lot in common- pranks, love for games and fun and staying out of trouble, or at least the aftermath.
There was a lot to be done in the little time that was available- be it the evenings that seemed to get dark so quickly or the school breaks/holidays that always raced in double the speed of the other days. Climb trees, roofs, ladders; climb something, anything. Run. Cram as many kinds of games as possible, before it would get dark and our call to be indoors was heard. Make fun rules for said games resulting in advantages or cheats; these along with board games or video games would make the time fly by swiftly.
Come up with reasons on why a particular show is educational or what had happened to the broken window/pot/vase/any such thing that needed a huddle to match stories with. Stalk the neighbors’ cat/dog/pet, either to stay away from it, ‘capture’ it or to sneak in some pats/treats. Have fun with science experiments or any experiments, find out how things work the dismantling or messy way. Know and share inside jokes, family feuds, witty nicknames or just recollect the funny stories/incidents that one or more of us were involved in.
Then there were various pretend play hours of illogical but hilarious setups, story telling, creating skits-some on the spot, conducting wrestling matches, impromptu dancing/singing sessions, making up secret clubs or sending decoded messages inspired by the various mystery or adventure novels that one, some or all of us had read/heard about. Collect and trade rocks, pebbles, stamps, stickers, leaves, cards, shells, seeds, anything and everything that piqued our interest.
The hours of fun, games, long walks, scraping of knees, showing off of scars, the planning, or rather scheming, laughter, lessons, teasing, fighting, arguing and then teaming up when others are involved, are the finest and memorable parts about having siblings and/or cousins. These partners in crime are in the best moments of our lives, and are the friends that are not chosen-they are the ones we are blessed with. The true friends for life.
