Saturday, November 26, 2005
Dear Annie: I was saddened by the letter from "Two Identical Individuals," the twins who were bothered by people gawking at them and asking stupid questions.
I was an identical twin for 70 years. My twin passed away three years ago, and there isn't a moment when I don't wish she were still with me. We were in show business from the age of 3 and appeared on many network TV programs from the early '50s through the late '70s. The highlight was playing the sheriff's daughters, "Teensy" and "Weensy," in an episode of "I Love Lucy."
I would tell these twins to enjoy the attention. Some of the questions are stupid, but with a sense of humor, you can get through anything. I'm just grateful my sister and I had such wonderful years together and such fantastic memories. Marilyn Borden, One of the Borden Twins
Dear Marilyn Borden: What a treat to hear from you. Here's more from twins:
From New York: I am a twin and I, too, am sick of the stupid questions. When people ask, "Can you feel each other's pain?" I reply, "I don't know, let's find out!" and I give my twin a nice slug in the arm. Then I say, "Nope, didn't feel it."
California: My sister and I are 71 years old, and whenever we are asked such questions, she turns to me with a startled expression and says, "I've never seen her before in my life." I tend to say, "It's a rumor, and an ugly one at that."
New York: When asked dumb questions, we say, "No, we are not twins. He is my next-door neighbor, but our parents get along really well."
West Virginia: I once looked at a picture of me standing in the snow, wondering why my brother was wearing my jacket.
Louisville, Ky.: My twin brother and I are 86-year-old coots. When I had an emergency appendectomy in 1947, the only room available was on the maternity floor. It was a given that my twin would also have this operation, but when he, too, ended up in the maternity ward, it surprised all of us.
Paducah, Ky.: I'm 15. The dumbest twin question I was asked was, "Were you twins when you were born?" My sister never corrects people when they think she's me. She even did this with my employer. I get mad just thinking about it.
Texas: I am 24, and my twin sister and I work together as waitresses. The questions are endless. When someone asks if we are sisters, I look them in the eye and say, "No, that is my brother, and he'd be really offended you asked."
Indiana: I am a 39-year-old twin and also the mother of 12-year-old twin boys. With a straight face, my sis and I tell inquisitive people, "We've never seen each other before." Some actually reply, "Really? Wow! You two could be twins!" and then we'd say, "We don't see the resemblance at all." That always gets a great laugh. I am now teaching my boys to have fun being a twin. (By the way, my sister would have never passed typing class if not for me.)
Washington: In high school, my sister and I were referred to as "Twinnie." It bothered us so much that we went to different colleges in different states. But things finally changed. What fun I had at my niece's graduation party, when her friends kept thanking me for inviting them.
Indiana: My sister and I attend "Twins Days" in Twinsburg, Ohio, every first full weekend in August. We have been going for 18 years, and many multiples come from other countries. There is lots of information at www.TwinsDays.org.
Memphis: My twin is a stockbroker, and I am an attorney. I have been cussed at, physically pushed and made fun of because people think I am my brother. I am still waiting for someone's husband to hit me.
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