Today I’m thinking about sisters. Yesterday I borrowed the idea for my redhead post from Life in a Pink Fibro (now that I think about it, most of the people who read my blog are Al’s friends, so I kinda borrowed them too). And then there’s MultipleMum commenting away about Chewbacca (yeah, thanks Coo). And it all got me thinking about how especially wonderful my sisters are.
I’m on dangerous ground here. Unlike myself, my sisters have a sub-zero tolerance for anything they consider sentimental, corny or, gasp, soppy. Best they look away now
It’s interesting, though. Because the word ‘sister’ is attached to so much about ‘women’s relationships’ these days. ‘Sisterhood’ has become a symbol of belonging and girl power and I really buy into that. But what of my ‘real’ sisters?
Well, no one in the world can irritate me the way they can. But they’ve been by my side through thick and thin. Speaking of thick, they’re the first people to gently tell me when I’m missing the point, getting it wrong, being generally stupid. And speaking of thin, they’re the first people to not-so-gently tell me I’m getting waaaaay fatter than is strictly tolerable. Like I said, thick and thin.
I love my sisters because I spend so much time with them and yet sometimes I feel like we’ve barely skimmed the surface of things to talk about. I love that a raised eyebrow speaks volumes. That there are code words that remind me of a whole era of my life (Frozen Food, Al?). Sometimes it feels that if I don’t tell them that something happened, it didn’t really happen.
I love them because we each take a completely different route to reaching the exact same conclusion. I love them because they’re very caring and very wise (and opinionated, so very opinionated). I love them because they’re witty, interesting and huge amounts of fun. They make me feel good about myself, but they wouldn’t dream of letting me get away with anything. If I confessed that I’d murdered someone, they’d help me hide the body but I’d be in for a 24 hour lecture on both the moral wrongness of the whole thing plus a few pointers on how I could improve my technique.
The lecture alone would make me rethink the whole murder thing.
I wonder if I just scored a couple of really good ones or if it’s something to do with being sisters? Could ‘sisters’ officially be the most complex and best relationship in the world?
[Image: The Three Sisters, Blue Mountains]
Jodie at Mummy Mayhem says
Aww – you’re so lucky. Sisters are special. I have two. One is 21 years older than me, so we only developed a real sisterly relationship after I had my first son (when I was 32) and she came to stay over from Perth for a couple of weeks. Up until then, we’d spent barely a handful of alone time together. By the time I was born, she had her own child! (Mum and sis were pregnant at the same time – very Father Of The Bride II.)
My second sister, 17 years older than I, died in a car accident when I was 6mths old. So I never got to know her. By all accounts, she was a bit like me in personality. We would have either clashed or got along famously!
I have 3 boys, and I’m always saying to them: “You are so lucky to have one another. So, so lucky. You should always love and respect each other. I wish I’d had a sister to play with at home when I was your age.”
No doubt, by the time they’re in their teens they’ll be all, “Yeah, yeah Mum. We’ve heard it a THOUSAND times already!”
Lovely post.
xx
MultipleMum says
Did you start taking ‘happy pills’ today? Gush, gush. You’re a bit of all right yourself, sis.
Jess says
So true.. sisters ARE the best and most complex relationship in the world. Love your posts, they always make me laugh but I am also nodding away madly, agreeing with what you say.
I am secretly hoping I have another girl so that Izzy can have a little sister. It is a really special bond!
life in a pink fibro says
Aw shucks. We’re secretly very pleased that we have you to put into sentimental words how we feel about you too. xx PS: did you HAVE to mention the frozen food? I think about that every single time I … well, you know.
deer baby says
Sisters are oh so special. Especially special. My sister and I take it in turns to play ‘good sister, bad sister’ with my mother.
I’m dying to know about the frozen food now. Or is it one of those in-jokes shorthand that only your sister would know about? Ours is blackcurrant jelly.
LJ says
I also have two sister and there is only two years between my youngest and I, and two years between my eldest and I. We also have the same up/down/thick/thin relationship. My sisters can drive me crazy, but they are the first person I want to call if I am having ‘one of those days’ with my kids…or if my mum is driving me crazy!
What a wonderful post. I think I am going to call my sisters today! xx
therhythmmethod says
This is a lovely post. I have a sister although sadly we have drifted apart in the last few years. Makes me a little sad. But yes, it is a very special relationship.
Frog, Goose and Bear says
Heading over from your sisters blog!
My two sisters are my absolute best friends – I feel much the same about mine as you talked about yours. No matter how soppy!
So Now What? says
I love reading that you guys are such good friends.
So many friends that I have who have sisters are not the best of friends or to be honest, even friends. In fact, they often tell me, if they weren’t related, they would have cut ties a long time ago.
I have one older brother and I love him to bits. But am a slack sister but am going to call tomorrow. Just for nothing in particular. xx
Life In A Pink Fibro says
How can I comment twice on the schmaltz??? You know I secretly love it.
Michelle Twin Mum says
Hiya, stopping by via the rewind. What a gorgeous ode to your sisters. I would love to have a sister, luckily my Mum does the job.
Mich x
Annieb25 says
I love that post. I missed it first time round. It makes me wish I had some sisters. I am lucky that I have some incredibly great friends who I class as sisters. xx
Donna @ NappyDaze says
Awww, so sweet! Even though your sisters might mock this touching tribute I treasured it because it makes me think of my own big sis. My best friend, my rock, my everything and anything all wrapped into one perfect package, I just could not imagine life without her.
As they say (and this is one of my faves): Sisters by chance, Friends By Choice xx
Lucy says
Ah, lovely.
I am so envious.
I have a sister. We do not share anything like this at all.I wish we did, but we never have and we never will.
My brothers and I have exactly this kind of relationship that you describe. Which makes me crave it all the more on a female level.
Gorgeous post sweet girl. xx