Monday, April 22, 2013

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.

23 comments:

  1. I don't have any siblings by blood, but I do have a couple of best friends. One of them might as well be my sister. I don't know what I would do without her. When I was reading this post, all I could think was, "Wow. She and I really are sisters. Our parents just didn't let us be related."

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  2. How lovely. I always wanted a sister but unfortunately I got a brother!

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  3. so cute !!! good idea about binding the blog :) Happy to connect. I am now following you via A to Z Challenge . Do feel free to drop by my blog Wilderness at www.disha-doshi.blogspot.com

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  4. Sisters are truly wonderful. I have two and love them dearly. I also raised 2 daughters like you and I love them and I know they have a special love for each other too.
    Great post.

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  5. Your girls are soo cute. And your right. One of life's best blessings for sure is a sister. I had 3 sons before I finally got my girl, and it has always bothered me she didn't have a sister. : ( Having 3 myself I knew it was a life experience that she would never have and it saddened me. However, she does have a cousin who she is not only 8 little weeks older than, but they are as alike as two peas in a pod. And she didn't have a sister either. They were together so much and were OFTEN mistaken as sisters as they looked soo much alike. So it worked out well for both of them. Even living in different states now, they talk as often as they can. Soo glad your girls have each other. Enjoy your day!

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  6. Reminds me of the song Sisters, Sisters in Holiday Inn.

    Sisters, sisters
    There were never such devoted sisters,
    Never had to have a chaperon, no sir,
    I'm there to keep my eye on her
    Caring, sharing
    Every little thing that we are wearing
    When a certain gentleman arrived from Rome
    She wore the dress, and I stayed home
    All kinds of weather, we stick together
    The same in the rain and sun
    Two different faces, but in tight places
    We think and we act as one
    Those who've seen us
    Know that not a thing could come between us
    Many men have tried to split us up, but no one can
    Lord help the mister who comes between me and my sister
    And lord help the sister, who comes between me and my man

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  7. This is a beautiful portrait of the unique relationship that sisters have. I don't have a sister, but one of the things I am most thankful for is the relationship my 2 daughters have with each other.

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  8. I have no sisters, thanks for confirming what I have ALWAYS suspected I was missing! I am SO glad we have 2 daughters and a son. A boy is pretty special too.

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  9. Love all the pictures of your sweet girls! My girls are lucky to have each other, too. :)

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  10. Talk about a sweet post! Makes me think so much of my two girls. I had two brothers and always wanted a sister. I'm beyond thankful my girls have each other.

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  11. There's nothing quite like the bond between sisters, for sure. You've done a good job articulating some of the nitty-gritty of what that looks like. Whle I always wanted a brother, I'm blessed to have had 3 sisters. When one of us got another's nerves, we always had a backup plan! And yes, always can count on my sisters to say "I know" and mean it--especially when commiserating about our parents. :)

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  12. What a great post. I love my sister too. I loved your photos :)
    Lucy from Lucy's Reality

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  13. What a sweet post! I've always wished I had a sister, but I had to settle for a daughter instead :)

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  14. This might be my favorite one! Love the pictures. I am so thankful you gave me a sister.

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  15. what a cute post! so glad they get along so well

    A to Z Ninja Minion
    http://baygirl32.blogspot.com

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  16. Such a sweet post about your girls :) Always love seeing your pictures.

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  17. It always saddened me that Janice did not have a sister, but it just was not meant to be. She is like me she has a cousin that might as well be a sister. I always wanted a sis growing up. Enjoyed your pics and your post!
    until next time...nel

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  18. Beautiful pictures. Nothing better than a loving sister.
    I love both of mine.
    Great read.

    Silvia @ Silvia Writes

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  19. It's so great that the girls are best friends, too. Gimme dat...LOVE IT! :D

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  20. so lovely!!! Your photos are wonderful!
    My sister is my first go to for everything. My first 3 kids were girls and they were not as loving to each other like yours..they were always competing..but now oh now...they no longer compete with each other, but totaly support each other and knowing that gives me joy in my heart!

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  21. Oh, I've always wished for a sister but do love my brothers and the Lord blessed me with a very special SIL. Your girls are just precious. I enjoyed this post just like all the others. Happy week!

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  22. It's true. Once I had a boy and a girl and was pregnant with number three I was really hoping for another girl because I really wanted sisters in my house rather than brothers. :)

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  23. Such a lovely post! I came from a family of three sisters, but only had one child (a daughter), and I worried a lot when she was growing up that she was missing out on something important. She's turned out just fine, but life can be lonely sometimes for an only child.

    Oh, well. At least she's not holding it against me!

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