Sisters

Growing up as the only girl with 2 older brothers I always wished I had a sister.  Having only brothers somehow made me feel that being a girl was like getting a booby prize, or coming in last in a race.  This may have been the emotional hypersensativity of ADHD, or it could have been my family's culture.  Fortunately for me, I had a pretty progressive mother.  She was pretty much a tomboy all her life and even though she made sure I had "girly" experiences and toys, she also made sure I didn't take being "girly" seriously.  My brothers also had a hand in keeping me humble.

Now that I'm in my 7th decade here on planet earth I realize that I've had sisters all along. Girls (now women) woven in and out of various stages of my life that helped shape and define who I now am as a woman.

My sisters from my immediate neighborhood:  Sandy, Susan, Trina, Alice and Julie.  From you, I learned how to play fair and pretty much how fun imagination can be.

The sisters from my gradeschool class:  Bonnie, Jackie, Diane, Ro, Marti, Janet, Alice, Phyllis, Jenny and Jane.  From you, I learned to enjoy life as it comes, bumps and all.  I also learned that it's ok to be me.

My sisters from my summers around the pool:  Jain, Annie, Bonnie, Susy, Kathy, Maria and Susan.  From you I learned how to be a gracious hostess because if I wasn't, my mom would definitely get angry.  I also learned that laying in the sun was boring.

The sisters from high school years:  Susy, Kathy, Maria and Susan.  From you I learned to be strong and that it's ok to defend myself.

My sisters from the young adult years:  Suzanne (Peanut Butter), Kathy (Kreegs), Jain (Jelly): Only the Bears are the same.  That it's ok to grow and change, so long as you stay true to yourself.

The sisters in the faith:  Jain, Karen, Cathy, Dawn, Denise, Pat, Wendy, Ro, Alice, Marti, Sue, and Janice.  You introduced me to the love of my life and showed me how to be a woman of faith, for that I'm eternally grateful.

My sisters who have been recently rediscovered: Jax - my pinochle and New Year's buddy, (we probably shared a crib while our parents played pinochle) and Denise - my first and only prayer partner.  You taught me that friendships (and sisters) have no time frame.

There are more sisters that I could mention but I think you get the picture.  For those of us who were born into families that had only one girl, if you look around you, you will find a whole bunch of sisters, older, younger, past, and present.  Enjoy and appreciate each one.

So, to all my sisters, thank you for all the adventures, fun and laughter.  When I remember each of you, my heart smiles.

So for today I'm grateful for:

1.  Sisters, however they're packaged.
2.  Memories of my youth - I really had a good one.
3.  Reconnecting with Jax and Denise.
4.  All the women in my life.
5.  My Mother and Grandmother.

Later,
Jan