I am the youngest of three sisters by seven and eight years. When I was little, we sung in the bath tub to the Supremes. They showed me the star of Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. When I was sad, they sang "A Dream is a Wish Your Makes" from Disney's "Cinderella."
They pretended to "fry" my goldfish! (True story!!! ) Of course, I was four or five years old and of course, they were pranking me with their boyfriends, but regardless of the difference in age and the endless challenges of "sisterhood," and families, my sisters and I, different as night and day, know the value of our bond.
Since the pandemic, our affairs and our togetherness have been fewer sadly. But we have hiked outside and we have talked outside and lately, all I can think about is that they had just as huge a part in raising me as my parents did. When I was a kid, they took me everywhere. Movies, parties, camping, travels far and wide have been a part of our history. Our relationship has taken us to New York City, Boston, Boulder, Flagstaff, Stamford, Minneapolis, Phoenix, and parts of Montana, South Dakota and North Dakota and yes, Rhode Island.
We are different. My sisters are incredibly industrious. They were Girl Scouts. They learned to sew, knit, crochet and cook from my mother and my grandmother. I adopted some of those skills (They excelled!) but headed in an entirely different direction then they did. It was writing, theater and and an endless need to perform that carried me. Still to this day, I think about how my sisters would take the stories I had written to school with them to show their friends. They came to see me on the stage when they could. They understood my trajectory, even when I did not.
They raised their children with an incredible courage, that I have would never experience in my own life. I never missed having children because my sisters let me scoop up theirs any time I wanted or could. I believe that is one of the main reasons I became a teacher. I loved my nephews and niece so much that I wanted as much time with them as we could manage.
Today, we can get together and speak freely. We have witnessed grief, loss, fear, and pure joy and happiness. We have danced, tipped a few beers, played pool and watched my father beat all of us at cards, laughing until it hurt. We have played at the beach, hiked and celebrated so many milestones and...all in our own individual way. As the youngest, I was in awe of them growing up. They were princesses to me. They exhibited grace, beauty and a freaking fabulous sense of humor!!!
Now that we are older, I see how valuable it was to watch them growup first! I had that advantage and perhaps could have used it that knowledge even more so in my youth. The day they left the house for their own journeys, I felt a loss like no other. That no longer matters today. They are two of the strongest women I will ever know. They worked incredibly hard and well, we all have enough shoes to last us a lifetime!!
I honor my sisters and am so grateful for what we have and who we are. Life is series of episodes. Some are blissful and wonderful. Some are not. My sisters and I have seen it all. Sisters have an unspoken language that transcends any difficulties or arguments. We can thank our parents for insisting that no matter what...family matters. I love you Jen. I love you Jojo. You're my big fat sisters! Always. P.S. You are not fat...but you did pretend to fry my goldfish...last word. The goldfish thanks you!
