S is for Sisters

I've written a time or two on my blog about sisters, my own and my daughters as sisters, but in emptying my brown paper bag I came across a few stray photos I wanted for my blog.  I bind my blog posts into books so they're a scrapbook of sorts too.  An out of order scrapbook of randomness and a whole lot of words, but they're mine.

My girls are best friends. From the minute Daughter2 entered this world her sister adored her and vice versa. When the nurse brought the baby in to the room where Daughter1 was waiting, her first words were "Gimme 'dat".

They look a lot alike and in many respects they are alike, but they're also each their own person and approach life differently. Sometimes I think that's why they get along so well. They've rarely had a disagreement, which I know is unusual for siblings.

Just a couple of weeks ago Daughter2 asked her sister to bring a dress here for her to wear on Easter because apparently there was nothing in her own closet she thought would work. That's a topic for another day (Ha!), but Daughter1 brought a dress that was brand new, one she hadn't yet worn herself, and happily let her sister wear it.

They are separated by many miles now but talk regularly on the phone, love nothing better than being in the same place at the same time, and when they come home will often sleep in the same room even though there are rooms here to spare.

Although they've never said as much I'm pretty sure they occasionally commiserate about their parents. That's what siblings are for, right? As strange as it may sound I actually like knowing if I'm getting on a daughter's nerves (which I'm sure is almost never!) she can call her sister and rant. I think that's healthy and contributes to peaceful family life.

Sisters are good medicine for sad broken hearts. They know when to talk and when to listen. They give advice or offer to beat someone up. Kidding! Sort of. I distinctly remember telling off my own sister's high school boyfriend in the parking lot where he worked. It was very much out of character for me, but you don't mess with a sister!

Sisters are like my favorite pair of jeans. They're friendship and laughter and a hand to hold when life is scary or your parents tell you you're moving countries. Sisters are playmates and soul mates. They've got your back and tell you when your hair needs fixing. They know you...the good the bad, and the ugly, and that's okay.  Better than okay...it's a relief.

With my own sisters I feel like I can say anything. They can agree or not. Tell me I'm crazy, laugh with me, give me a hug, listen to me vent, or help me weigh out a problem. They say 'I know' and mean it.  They see all my faults and they see past them too.  It's more than shared genetics...it's also the shared language of a family, the shared history and experience that make sisters special.

I'm sure I've missed out on something not having sons, and I do look forward to sons in law one day. I also love my brother to pieces and he knows we all think he hung the moon. Still, I'm thankful every day that my girls have a sister.

They are too.