The Sacred Sisterhood

First off, I need to be clear that SISTER, to me is a powerful word. Almost as, maybe even more, powerful than MOTHER. 

My own two sisters set a high, high bar for what a sister is. They each, in their own way, really helped form me; contributed to the person I would become.  My sisters probably gave me the majority of the mothering I received in my life.

That's not knocking my mom, she had her hands full with 5 kids and her own set of problems, and the "biggie" kids parenting the "littles" was the status quo in our day.  

But my sisters gave me lots. My oldest sister Karen was always looking out for our well being and was serious, practical, grounded, and always did the right thing. Except when she was being wild and playing crazy, silly pranks. She is someone you can count on. To do what's right, to be true to herself, to speak her truth, even if it's unpopular. She knows how to be quiet and still and sit with herself. Good lessons. 

My second sister, Sue (Sisu) is brave and adventuresome and ready for anything. She follows her bliss, 100%. I'm

pretty sure that no one in my family would have ever dared to do anything, go anywhere, if not for Sisu. She led the way and set the tone for fun with her ready laugh. She finds the humor in EVERYthing. 

Having sisters opens up the possibility to let more "sisters" into your life. The print is there; you crave sisterhood with those other special women whom your heart and soul recognize and resonate with.

On my recent trip to CA to visit Sisu, I got to share time with her and her "sister friends ". We hiked and cooked and drank wine. We stayed in a primitive wilderness cabin. We went sailing and hot tubbing and talked and laughed and sometimes almost cried. We read books. We talked about books. And family. And men. And mental illness. And dreams. We went deep. We were silly. Those sisters of my sister took me in with open arms. And I am a better person because of it.

So here's to all my sisters and "sister friends". You know who you are.  Thanks for helping me become the woman I am today. I love y'all!