Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Genetics...


originally uploaded by kristan.ellsworth.

In my family we have this somewhat odd genetic...thing. We walk on our toes. Not all of us, but I do. And my dad sometimes. And my grandma Berenice. And her mom Grandma Bertha, and most of Bertha's sisters, the Eberhart Girls. And my children. Well, at least one of my children. The one on the left - Railie. She wears dirty socks, too.

It isn't like I actually WALK on my toes, I sort of bounce. It makes my ponytail sway like Poe's pendulum. It was really hard to overcome this odd way of walking when I was in marching band and had to: 1) ROLL my feet, 2) make my feet point forward - my knees don't even point the right way and 3) keep my upper body STILL as I moved forward. It was really funny the first few times I tried it. And man, was I sore!

I have had some really great nicknames over the years, too. Everything from "Tippy" (thanks Kellie!) to "ducky" (I don't really remember WHO said it, but I remember it being said). But my greatest achievement was winning the Best Legs award for three years in a row in marching band. That was fun, and a complete shock the first time. I have always tried to hide my legs and my cows (WAY too big to be calves...) but it seems I didn't do so well at that.

So, I guess my children will have to endure the wrath of the Eberhart legs, and embrace them. They are great weapons to use in the event of a tickling match gone bad...

4 comments:

Marianne said...

Ha Ha! Cows...not calves!

This is fun and interesting. Someone else we know walks on his toes...Uncle Steve, Gena's husband, as does their missionary son Chris! I have gotten a kick out of watching them over the years! Most of my kids walk like their Dad and I cannot even describe it! Genetics is weird!

Anonymous said...

Not to mention big ankles:)

Jennifer P. said...

one of my best friends growing up use to walk like that. She had awesome calf muscles :)!

Vanessa said...

I remember that you walked on your toes...genetics is such a crazy thing! :P