How to make enemies and depress people.

Last week while I was in Utah for Women's Conference, I attended a play group with my sister Jennifer and some of her ward friends at their neighborhood park.

Bear in mind, my sister just moved to this ward 6 weeks ago. She is still getting to know everyone and likewise they are getting to know her.

When we first got there, she introduced me to the other 3 moms. We did the usual chit chatting and where are you from game.

A bit later another mom joined the group. She had 10 month old twins, a boy about 3, and a 5 year old daughter. Things were a bit crazy and there was never a good moment for me to be formally introduced to her.

The moms continued sharing and discussing things about kids, schools, teachers, and birth weights and delivery experiences. You know the usual playgroup discussion topics. I don't know why I am telling you this, because it has nothing to do with the story, but I do tend to babble on a bit.

At one point my sister went to retrieve her two year old daughter who was being pulled in a wagon, but had been abandoned a distance away. I made a comment about something.

This new mom, let's call her Jill, because that's her name. This Jill speaks to me with a look of who the helk are you and why are you talking with us. And she has the audacity to ask me:

Are you Jennifer's MOTHER?

What the what the what? Did she really just ask that? I know this past year has been hard on me and has aged me twenty years and I am due to color my grey, but seriously, she thinks I look old enough to be my sister's mother?

Now to be fair, I am twelve years older than my sister. She was born on the last day of my sixth grade. I remember it well. And although it might be within the realm of possibility, I. Don't. Think. So.

To be fair to Jill, I am sure she is completely sleep deprived and over worked. Her powers of observation might be stunted. But if you are in a position where you can see a familial resemblance, don't good manners dictate that you error on the side of caution and guess someone is a sister instead of a mother. What would Miss Manners say? Seriously.

So even if Miss Manners doesn't say that, just a word of advice for any of you faced with a smiliarish situation, be kind and generous. Make some one's day. Could it really make that much difference to you? But think how much happier you would make a mother when you guess she is the sister. Just sayin'.

And just so you can judge for your self here are a few pictures of us through the years. You tell me, am I right to feel well rather depressed.

Here we are on Jen's blessing day.
This was taken at Girls Camp, on a day the families come up and visit.
Here we are at Disneyland. This is Jen's graduation from Utah State.

And here we are last week at Women's Conference. I wanted a shot of us for this post, but I was not very happy that I am so crinkled. Maybe I really do look like her mother.

And finally we tried one more time, right as I was leaving. Of course we both look like we just rolled out of bed, because we did.

Truth be told, I wasn't the least bit offended and actually thought it was a pretty funny story. And of course the first thought that came to mind was: I am so blogging this.

So go ahead and make my day by lying to me in the comments as to how young I look and that I really couldn't possibly be this girl's mother. And yes this is one of those times if you can't say something nice don't say anything at all.