I have brothers. Three to be exact. All older. So yes, I am the baby and the only girl. This role came with its perks (still does!) and its drawbacks. Teased a lot? Yes. Had my own room? Yes. Now that we are all parents and some are grandparents, our relationships have matured. I adore my big bros but that does not mean I did not ever long for a sister. I used to ask my mom for a baby sister every year for Christmas. Instead I got dolls and barbies, which would explain my love of them to this day. But I knew early on that I needed that connection to other girls. So instead of sisters, I was blessed with friends. Not only did I make them, I kept them.
This is one of my favorite pictures of all time. It is my fourth birthday party. We are all in dresses, I have a barbie cake, killer pigtails and best friends. Forty years later these girls are still my friends. We may go for periods of time without talking but when we get together it is an ease and comfort that can't be describe. It's a sisterhood.
Between us we have 32 kids!! (Multiply and replenish? Check!)
We recently did have a few days together and we all spoke of how blessed we are to have each other for so long. We laughed, ate, reminisced, ate, etc... By the end of the weekend it was the Sisterhood of the Traveling Fat Pants! We felt filled and loved and did not want it to end. Luckily for me, it does not end.
Besides having lifelong girlfriends, I have gained sisters. I married a man that has five of them. The dynamics of a large family and especially of sisters were very foreign to me 20 years ago and it has been a learning curve. But as distances grew shorter and time progressed, these ladies became my sisters and best friends. We are LOUD together. love to laugh together and live for the girls trips.
My own family grew in girl power over the years. With two daughters of my own, sister-in-laws that keep my brothers in check, gorgeous nieces I love as my own and great-nieces I adore, I am finally surround by girls. But I still have my curio of barbies and dolls to remind me how lucky I am to have sisters.
Linda
22 comments:
Great post- I love that you're still in contact with your childhood friends. I never stayed in touch with my girlfriends from school, but I have 5 sisters, and now 3 daughters of my own, and I hope that my girls always stay close to each other.
Girlfriends are the best!
I have one sister. Wish I had more.
I think this is also why I adore my friends so much also. I have two younger brothers. When I was 15 I gained a step sister who I love so much and am glad she lives only and hour away.
These bonds of sisterhood - however you get them - good friends, sister in laws, daughters, etc...make life so much richer.
You are truly blessed!
You really have a great sisterhood going here...I love that you appreciate it so...
love it! I have a few sisters (okay, 3...) and thus never really got into Barbie dolls (or at least that's my excuse when I don't want to tell the longer version of how I scalped my sister's barbies...)
My two besties and I have known each other since we were all 4 years old... people are always amazed that we still make the effort to get together (only 16 kids between us though) but it's SO worth it!!!
I have one baby sister. She is tremendous. Sometimes I get sad for my daughter because she doesn't have one, but then I remember how great friends can be as good as sisters.
I had two brothers and no sisters...I always wanted one too!
Sistahs!!!! Great post, Linda!
My sisterhood cup also runneth over! I am so grateful! And I LOVE the pics you posted!!
Just found your Blog! Loving it!!
What a beautiful story, I was blessed with sisters, unfortunately one of them has not found out what a blessing it is yet. she is 15 so it's ok. However the younger after me, is my best friend. What a blessing it is to have powerful women who help you through life.
Not to rub it in, but I have two sisters and they are my best friends. What I would do without them I have no idea! Glad you got a few psuedo sisters eventually. GIRLS ARE AWESOME!
I never knew that I was supposed to want a sister until my mom mentioned that she was so glad that my girls had each other and that she always felt bad for me.
I love my girlfriends too...although I haven't had them nearly as long as you've had yours. I think that's awesome!
You have inspired me to get over myself and call one of my childhood friends AGAIN -- she is honestly (and she admits this) horrible about returning phone calls, but when we do get together, it's so much fun.
You've also inspired me to actually *do* something I've been thinking about, reuniting several friends from youth group for a special occasion at our church.
Thank you for this post!
Girl Power! :) I love my sister, my daughters, and my girlfriends-How would we make it through without all the special women in our lives to laugh with, love with,and raise children with...
Looks like a wonderful group of women!!
Great post! You have been rewarded for your waiting and patience with many wonderful sisters.
I have 2 sisters... and it's true ~ there is just something about them. Being a pastor's wife, I great girlfriends from our time in Seminary.... but since it's been hard to find close friends.
Hope you're having a great weekend!
Holy crap, I am laughing at "(Multiply and replenish? Check!)"
My sister always had a Barbie cake. I could never stomach eating it though because I knew what she did with those Barbie legs when it wasn't in a cake.
What an awesome post!
I am glad to have a MIL that is amazingly supportive, because my own mother isn't. It is awesome how somehow we always have the relationships we need and want!
Wow! What a blessing. We have much in common. I too was raised amongst the boys. I love that you have gotten your sisters.
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