July 14, 2010

Sisters


Magnolia asks me for a sister. At least once a week. Sometimes she asks for a twin and instead of going into the harsh reality of that not being a possibility, I grant her, her wish in fantasy. "A twin! How exciting that would be! What would her name be?" And in a perfect world, where I would not be considered a "geriatric mom", money grew under our feet, and I had the patience of a saint, a little sister (or brother) would be a wonderful gift (Calder is pushing for a brother, by the way). Three is the magic number you know. It is hard to explain to a four year old that sisters are not always the ones you are born into the same family with. I know this from experience. Sometimes a sister is a most precious gift of a person who you are not related by blood. She is the one who you can call on with a choke in your voice and tears in your eyes, about the sister you were not allowed to know. Who consoles you when your children have run amok and you are positive that you have scarred them for life.  Who appreciates you and makes you want to shower her with gifts and laughter. I only hope that Magnolia finds "sisters" in life, like I have found mine.

5 comments:

mairedodd said...

that is so very touching... and you are right - soul sisters are extra special because you chose each other...

elisabeth said...

What great thoughts about siblings "real" and "chosen" :-)

Joelle said...

I love you, sister. xoxoxo

Katie said...

Well said...I grew up with just a brother, and it's taken me years to appreciate what it's like to have a true "sister" who is there for me whenever I need her (and vice versa).

Andrew Thornton said...

I blessed to have siblings that I can talk with and share my life with. It wasn't always like this. For a few years, we were all set on different paths, going in different directions. Sure we were anchored in our parents, but we rarely saw each other and hardly spoke to one another.

It took years... lots of growing up, lots of forgetting, lots of remembering, and finding our own ways before we were able to reconnect. I think one of the big things is that my niece was born. I came from New York. Sheila came from Thailand. And we converged over a miracle.

I feel blessed to have my family, but I also feel blessed to have the invented family that I gathered in my time away. They too have been beautiful people who are there for me as if we were indeed bound by blood.