Sisterhood

I never had a sister, and as a child I was a serious tomboy sandwiched in between two brothers (hence my childhood nickname "Chuck").

Through my childhood and teenage years I always wished for a sister. Maybe that's why I cherish the depth of my female relationships so seriously and value them so intensely. I've found over the years that my "sisters" have sustained me through challenges and we've been there for another time after time regardless of the curve balls life throws us.

Above is a shot of my friend Mary Lou Hely who took over duties from Ellen Chandra for the past week and literally doing ANYTHING I need her to. We've shared laughter, tears, hope and sadness over the past few days and I can't imagine getting through this experience by myself.

My friend Shelley from Dubai sent me an email this week that really struck a chord, so I decided to post it on my blog as it articulates perfectly the love and support I'm receiving now from my friends literally all over the world: Denver, San Francisco, Albuquerque, San Diego, Pittsburgh, Chicago, North Carolina, Copenhagen, New Jersey, New York, Tokyo, Massachusetts, Washington DC, Chicago, Dubai, and London where I have female friends. Here goes:

The Importance of Sisters

A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her mother. As they talked about life, marriage, and the responsibilities and obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.

"Don't forget your sisters," she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. "They'll become more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband or the children you may have, you're still going to need sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then, and do things with them. Remember that 'sisters' means ALL the women . . . your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too. You'll need other women. All women do."

"What a funny piece of advice!" the young woman thought. "Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couples world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!"

But she listened to her mother. She kept in contact with her sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her mother knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, sisters became the mainstays of her life. After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned.

Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't always do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.

BUT . . . sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girlfriend is never further away than a phone call or an email. When you walk that lonesome valley by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end. Sometimes, they'll even break the rules and walk beside you or come in and carry you out. Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, nieces, cousins, and extended family all bless our life! The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I.

When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other . . . every day, we need each other still.

Pass this on to all the women who help make your life meaningful. Short and very sweet. There are more than twenty angels out there. Ten are peacefully sleeping on clouds. Nine are playing. And one is reading my blog at this moment. Send this message to ten of your friends, including me. If you get 5 replies, someone you love will surprise you. Celebrate the joys of friendship and tell your friends what they mean NOW. This may impact someone you haven't talked with in a while, or reinforce the friend you just saw yesterday, or last week.

Thank you ALL out there for being part of my unique circle of friends. I wouldn't trade one of you for anyone else in the world.

Nancy