Sister Love

One of my co-workers is getting ready to say happy graduation to her oldest daughter on Saturday.  She has two girls, with very similar personalities to my two oldest. We often swap stories and it's fun to hear about them growing up and what I have to look forward to. And yes, I'm cringing a little bit. She came in this morning to show me a picture of the two of them all dressed up hugging each other. Her comment was, "look how much they love each other."  I couldn't help but think about how many pictures, memories I have of my girls together laughing and loving one another.  I was quick to point out that it's easy to take for granted how truly lucky we really are.  I've seen quite a few examples of siblings that are quite an amorous.  So call it good parenting, luck, whatever.  It's a gift and one to treasure.  

I'm reminded as I grow older how my parents opted to just have one of me.  I am fairly high maintenance I guess they figured one was enough to keep them busy.  I don't recall a lot of my childhood and I partly attribute that to my lack of a sibling. I think having sisters and brothers help keep you connected. Whether you like it or not, you are tied to the past, to your family.  I always remind my girls how important it is to take care of your sisters.  I get a slight tinge of jealousy sometimes thinking about the bond they are developing, something I didn't have growing up.  


I can still remember a few years ago when my girls were playing with some friends and Alex and the other girl were not being nice to Gabby.  I might add, the other girl was instigated it, of course.  Gabby stood there with her hands on her hips and screamed at Alex,  " you need to stop it, you are my sister, you're supposed to stand up for me!".  I was so proud of her.  That night I sat on the side of Alex's bed and I told her that Gabby was entirely right in what she said and that I hoped she remembered how much passion her sister had behind those words.  The same passion that she had towards taking care of her.  Gabby has always been a great big sister.  In turn, Alex has turned into a pretty darn good big sister with her baby sister.  I was watching her last night hold hands with her little sister tagging along at a school event. I know she really just wanted to run along and play with her friends, but she was careful to keep a close eye on her little tag along.  


Today, unfortunately, I got a firm slap in the face on how important those familial bonds can be.  My parents came up for the weekend and my poor Dad hadn't been here more than an hour before he got a call that his Mother passed away.  He is lucky to have three brothers and a sister and all of them were on the phone sending love and talking about what to do.  What a relief to have that support.  I got a call from my cousin, the closest I have to a sister, and we laughed and cried together.   A great reminder of the strong bond of family.  I am go grateful my girls will have that and I hope they will remember to draw on it and gain strength from it. 

I know my girls lives will push and pull them in different directions.  I can only hope they will glance back through the pictures, the home movies, recall the memories and smile. I hope that like my co-worker daughters, every picture tells a tale of siblings who love each other.  And, like today, when their world falls out from under their feet, I hope they reach for their sisters hand and find it right there waiting for them.