Sisters!

……Make sure to live as fully loving as you can.

My sister, Doris, has loved me unconditionally through all my …. let’s just say , difficulties stemming from my bad judgment seasons. I had way more than I would like to admit.

When my mom was pregnant with me, Doris said she could hardly wait for mom to bring me home. I can honestly say we have had and still do have the most incredible relationship. There’s no one more fun to be with than her when it comes to sisters.

Doris, has said that she had a different mom than I had. What that means is, mom was at a different season in her life when I came along. This is true for each sibling I’m sure; three girls and one boy. Doris and mom didn’t have the same relationship as mom and I had. I remember so many fun times with mom, but Doris didn’t have as much of that. Love formed differently in relationship because of it. Even so, we always had a great home with mom and dad to have family get-togethers over the years. My memories are fond ones.

I decided a long time ago that even thought my family is imperfect; they are the only family I have and I choose to love them right where they were and are. There are many more reasons for me to love than not to. I realize it may be different for you, the reader of this BLOG. Please share your thoughts if you choose.

Anyway, I’ve just returned from an amazing trip to the West Coast to visit family and friends in Oregon. My sister gave me this beautiful writing about us; sisters. I hope you will think of someone special in your life to maintain a strong relationship with.

A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her mother. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.

Don't forget your sisters, she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them.

Remember that 'sisters' means ALL the women....your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too. You'll need other women. Women always do.

What a funny piece of advice! the young woman thought. Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!

But she listened to her mother. She kept contact with her sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her mother really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, sisters are the mainstays of her life.

After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned:

Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.

......but

Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach.

When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end.

Author unknown.