A Homage to Sisterhood

I have three sisters.

Growing up, I took our relationships for granted. I just felt like they would always be there, I didn’t always care how I treated them, I would be so focused on my own life and interests, and longed for deep friendships, always wanting more.

Now as a married woman, away from my family in order to cling onto my husband, I don’t want the connection to end. I began to see a shift as we settle into the new roles we each have. She is my sister, but she is also a mom. She is my sister, but she is also a teacher. She is my sister, but she is also a college student.

It takes more effort now to stay connected than the times we couldn’t escape each other. I can no longer hold on to the assumption that they are in the next room.

Of course, the love is still there and it always will be, but I cannot have the same expectations.

I look at them and I am so proud, I am so amazed; they are gorgeous, intelligent, independent, wise, loving people. They are there to listen, and they are there to lend a hand wherever it’s needed. They protect, they cover, and they love.

Things are now different where it takes more time and effort to be able to meet and catch up.

They may do things that don’t surprise me, as I am very keen on their ways, but I still love them when they do surprise me. They surprise me in the ways that they have changed by growing in areas I didn’t realize were once stunted. Also as they bravely embark on new things.

They are the ones who help me to grow and stretch. Their honesty and insight in knowing me now help me to snap out of the doubts and fears I would believe.

I used to think they didn’t know me or understood me because of our many differences. When it comes to taste in music, books, movies, and friends, we can be so different. But they really just let me be me, weird taste and all. Now we endearingly define things with my name attached, like a “Kathy movie” and we all understand what we would be getting into for movie night.

The now teacher once went with me to an Interpol concert for my birthday. She didn’t absolutely love the band but she was so happy to be there with me. She smiled as she watched me sing and dance to the songs I would play on repeat at home; she also snapped photos with our digital camera of my reaction to seeing the band. Years later, we went to a concert for a band we loved, and this time we both sang and danced to our favorite songs.

The new mom and I can now have deep conversations about friendships, marriage, and motherhood. It’s a time where we are allowing the other inside of our hearts. I’m mature now ;) not just her bratty little sister.

Then it’s my college student, she is wise beyond her years, and can always promise a fun time when she’s around. She’s open to adventures but stays focused on her responsibilities.

Sisters prune you and they act as a mirror for you. They show you where you’re wrong, they show you where you’re hurting, and they hold your hand to bring you back to health.

Even though we’re in different stages in life, we love to drop in and tease one another, get loud or whisper secrets. We never used to say I love you, but now we do. Because we’re a part more, we can’t show our love in the ways we used to, but we remind each other with every good-bye, I love you.

"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."
Ephesians 5:31

"And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him -- a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
Ecclesiastes 4:12

"For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge."
Ruth 1:16