Backstory
Keep in touch! That’s the cardinal rule of sister relationships. It’s the responsibility conferred when friendship is offered or accepted. Contact is especially appreciated by friends who are aging and slowing down. You recognize how vulnerable your sister circle is as you watch it shrink.
The digital age offers so many opportunities for staying in touch; texts, e-mails, facetime, zoom, social media with its glorious array of catch-ups, and of course handwritten notes that speak from the heart.
I started thinking about the impact of sisters in my life, and this story developed.
Sisters
Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A sister is never farther away than needing her can reach.
She can be a blood relative . . . or a sister through marriage or someone who has become like a sister over time.
The women in your life are there to laugh with you and cry with you, to cheer when you rise and soften the blow when you fall – – – loving without judgment or envy or blame.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley 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. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you….or come in and carry you out.
Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters. mothers, aunts, nieces, grandmothers – they all bless our life!
And as the years go by, that bond means even more. It becomes more precious each day. You can’t turn back the clock, but you can rewind it – with help from the sisters in your life.
Don’t take them for granted. Cherish them. Tell them how you feel about them and how they make you feel.
Don’t let another week go by without sharing with them how much you love them and appreciate them.
P.S. Loneliness becomes a major issue as the years pile up. Hearing from a sister is a joyful antidote. If your life is still busy, it might be tempting to just skip reaching out today. Your older sisters in particular are worth the effort to keep in touch. Think I’ll jot a note off right now. How about you?
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My only sister (9 years younger than me) and I have grown much closer as we’ve grown older. Although we live 3 hours apart we usually see each other every other month. And now that she has a great grandson, and me a great nephew, it’s really important for me to visit often.
I envy the frequency of your visits. My sister is in Chicago – a 24 hour train ride away. I’ll tell you the story of her latest visit here after two years apart. She needed stamina and courage. Hope to see you soon. We’ve missed you.
My sister is the very talented author of this column and I love her beyond words. We have ALWAYS been there for each other – in happy times, challenging times, times of grief and times of joy and times of FUN while sharing memorable vacations together: Poland, Cape Cod, Maine, Atlantic City, Hawaii, St. Thomas. Hee-Haw! We’re so blessed to have each other.
Love you so much.
Ive lost both my sisters, as well as my brothers, so it becomes difficult when I recall earlier times with them. But, that’s when I realize these relatives still live through the ‘sister & brother’ friends I’ve been fortunate to know over the years.
So many responses to this story. Many of us are blessed with sisters.
Once again you prompt sweet memories A sister I lost to cancer 7 years ago tugs up my heart strings and a sister now losing her to dementia. Hug the women of your life they’re all sisters
So many responses to this story. Many of us are blessed with sisters.