"We're not sisters by birth, but we've known from the start, fate brought us together to be sisters by heart." - Unknown
This quote pretty much sums it up. I am so grateful to have been blessed in 2011 with the addition of two sisters into my life. I always wanted a big sister, or little for that matter, when I was growing up.
I remember being nearly 5 years old when my little brother was brought home from the hospital by my parents. Sure, I had known that I was going to be a big sister... but I was less than amused to find out that I had gotten a brother rather than a sister. Don't get me wrong... I love my brother. He's amazing. He has been through more in his almost 25 years of life than many people have. There is certainly an unbreakable bond between siblings... so I'm glad to have someone that shares childhood memories with me. From the food fight after Thanksgiving one year, when he smashed pumpkin pie in my hair... which then ended up all over my mom's kitchen walls to the times when we'd search the house, high and low, for Christmas presents, stealthily unwrap them carefully (by slicing through the scotch tape with a sharp kitchen knife and then carefully replacing an equally sized piece of tape over the original piece), he has always been there with me. Another classic childhood memory is the time that I let my little temper flare up, was yelling at my brother, and got so angry at my him (for some reason I cannot remember now-- but obviously something trivial that siblings would argue over), and picked a huge pumpkin up off the TV in the basement... which I then proceeded to throw forcefully against the carpeted floor, watching as the pumpkin guts sprayed onto the carpet and countless pieces of pumpkin shell were strewn across the floor. I remember looking up at him, half out of anger, and half out of guilt, not to mention terror/fear of what would happen next when I heard my mom's voice ring out from upstairs... "what's going on down there?" I don't remember why he took pity on me, but my brother ended up telling my parents that he broke the pumpkin and got punished for it. I also remember telling my brother once that it was ok to use the bathtub and trash can as alternatives to the toilet. I truly was a rotten child.So, what I did to deserve to gain two sisters into my life is beyond me. I feel truly blessed. I have no idea why I deserve the care, concern, and love of two wonderful people... who even though are not related to me by blood, feel just as much like family as my brother is. I first met my middle sister in November over Thanksgiving weekend. She is warm, intelligent, and pretty much has the same sense of humor as I do. I felt as though I had known her for years even though I had only known her for a matter of a few days... although I had heard about her through conversations with my big sister. I've known my big sister for quite sometime... first through posting on a handbag forum but met her in person in July 2011 following an application for a job. She took a chance on me... having known me from my online posts and talking a bit online and let me stay with her. My search for a job continued into August and September, and I traveled for an interview on Labor Day weekend 2011, after which time, I went to visit my big sister. I stayed with her for basically all of September, and during that time, I received and accepted a job offer, and realized how lucky I was to have formed such a strong, unbreakable bond with her. For Christmas 2011, my big sister and I took a road trip together from her place to the North Country, where she grew up. I absolutely LOVE being there. It's such a beautiful part of New York, and of course... I got to spend time with her, my middle sister, and their dad--who is such a kind and generous soul-- makes it very easy for me to see why my sisters are both as wonderful as they are. I loved Christmas. It was wonderful. I experienced my first and second trips to Vermont (Burlington, to be exact) for shopping on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. I also experienced my first ferry ride! It was so much fun! I loved the ferry and wish I could ride on one every single day.
My middle sister is essentially like a twin sister. It's almost a bit scary to see how much we have in common. I'm pretty sure that she and I would have joined forces quite often as children and tormented our big sister... but since we're not kids now, we just have to torment her as adults! My middle sister is very blunt and matter-of-fact, just like me... and I do appreciate those qualities. She wouldn't stand for my self-loathing, pity behavior as of late... telling me to suck it up, put on my big girl pants, and get another job. She'd be right, and I know this.
My big sister is one of the most caring, selfless, intelligent, warm, and loving individuals that I know. She always sees the good in everyone, and she always listens to me. She offers advice whether I want to hear it or not, which I do appreciate and need to hear. She knows how to make me smile even when my world is turned upside down--which it has been lately. She is nuturing and protective. She is also an amazing cook, both of my sisters are actually... and I know that I will always eat the most delicious dishes in their presence. I have spent so many weekends with her, nearly every weekend from Thanksgiving up through last weekend. We drink wine, eat chocolate, cheese, salami, hard crusty breads, drink coffee, cuddle with her two kittens... content with staying home and having the company of each other, and sometimes we laugh until we cry. Simple errands like grocery shopping are far more fun with a sister. You can learn a lot about someone by how they fill a grocery cart-- and my big sister is no exception to that rule. I've been to the store enough with her that I can predict what she's going to put in the cart... and she's always asking me what I like or what I will eat. Silly sister... I will eat anything that she wants to cook! I will never refuse to try a dish that is put in front of me... and she knows this. She also gives the best hugs, which always make me feel warm and happy to see her. My least favorite thing is saying goodbye to my sister after a weekend has ended. Now I know it's not really goodbye, it's never goodbye... it's see you soon, but I still almost cry when I have to leave her. As much as I sink into my shell some days, away from the rest of the world, sulking or wallowing in self pity (which, I know is not healthy)... she can still bring me out, reminds me that there is good in the world, and that I will get my turn-- I will get good news and deserve good things to happen to me. She is the best, more than I deserve and could have ever asked for... and the best part is that she loves me, despite my flaws, shortcomings, and everything, plain and simple. There is no other love like the love of a sister. Regardless of where I go in life, how many relationships I go through, how many jobs I have, or any other curve that life throws my way... I know that I will always have her.
So... today I am grateful and blessed to have three siblings in my life. One brother, two sisters. I wouldn't trade any of the experiences I've had in life with them for anything in the world. I am such a lucky girl, and today I choose to remember that and be happy.
XOXO
