We Became Like a Hand: A Story of Five SistersAs the oldest of five sisters, Carol Ortlip identified herself as the "translator, " the one responsible for making sense of the outside world for her four younger sisters. In this moving, beautifully written memoir, she seeks to make sense of her own world, of which her sisters are a deeply important part. As children, each sister seemed essentially placed, becoming the one the rest had been waiting for: Carol (translator and guide), Kate (nurturer and second in command), Shari (prophet and poet), Danielle (compliant mediator), and Michele (youngest and the family conscience). Their love for one another permeated their childhood and sustained them during their mother's depression, their stepfather's emotional abuse, the challenges of growing up, and the profound tragedies that threatened to break even the strongest heart. Throughout this touching, ultimately uplifting memoir, the "hand" serves as a poignant metaphor for how Ortlip is both intrinsically connected to and distinct from the people she loves most. |
Contents
Chapter One Fade In Fade Out | 7 |
Chapter Two Our Mother Gone | 25 |
Chapter Three Aftermath | 45 |
Copyright | |
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95 Main Street arms become bedroom begin Bering Sea blue flash body breath Carol Cindy With Guts cliffs climb clinic comes Crete cucumbers Dad's Dan Mahoney Danielle's door drinking Dutch Harbor Eric everything eyes face feel Fort Lee Frank friends frogs front Gemma gone goodbye guys hand head hear hold Hudson River inside Julie Andrews Kate Kate's king crab kiss laugh Laura leave look Manhattan Mary Octer massage Michele Michele's Migga and Bill Mom's morning mother mountain move myelodysplasia never night Ortlip Outlaw Josey Wales paint Palisades Amusement Park Peak Experience Polar Queen Rick scream Shari and Danielle Shari's death singing sisters sleep smile song standing stay stop sure talking tell thing tree turns Unalaska voice wait walk watch wave whispers wind window York City