a sister can be the best medicine

I was having one of those kind of weeks early in the month. The kind where any little disappointment or bump in the road was enough to set me off and get that old blood pressure rising. I don't really know why I was on such a rant. Sometimes you can make a guess, and many times it just happens. Things build up and then you explode, or even implode. There were numerous times when my husband tried to help with the boys by intervening when they weren't cleaning up after themselves or doing their music practicing, but even with his good intentions he was too personally involved to really have perspective on my suffering.

Then my little sister called from VA and, in a way that was very uncharacteristic for me, I cried on the phone. Even though I consider myself to be pretty open with my emotions, for some reason I don't cry around my family (the one I come from, I mean). I have thought about it over the years and have come to the conclusion that it must have something to do with being the oldest. I was the one to move far away from the rest of the fam when I was twenty. I chose a different way of life in my new religion. Etcetera, etcetera... So here was my younger sister on the other end of the phone and I found it amazingly easy to open up about my own personal frustrations and mom guilt. Keep in mind she is twelve years younger than I am. We became real friends when she was about 18 and I was 30, and I feel like I have been learning from her ever since.




One of her many talents is finding funny cards, and after our phone call she would either text or send me a card every couple of days or so. They helped. She helped. And although life throws stuff at us, at me, it is nice to know that a beautiful 32 year-old across the country is my cheerleader. Thanks, Jen.

6 comments

Little GrumpyAngel | September 21, 2008 at 11:05 PM

You're so blessed to have a wonderful sister you can cry to and who has the knack for knowing how to lift you up and cheer you up when you're down. I'm sorry you had "those" days. I like that you were honest and shared with us. I have a few of those days myself now and again and it's comforting to know how others get through them.

LisAway | September 22, 2008 at 12:26 AM

Hooray for understanding sisters!! I have two of them, and thanks to Skype, we can talk to each other anytime for free. It's a huge blessing to me, and we DO talk to each other about everything. I'm so glad you have such an understanding sister, too. Glad to hear you talking of that week in past tense. I hate weeks like that.

Curly | September 22, 2008 at 1:49 PM

Sisters Rule!

Heidi | September 23, 2008 at 11:08 AM

Ah, how sweet! I'm sorry that you had to go through that, though. On the other hand, one day the kids will all be gone and so will the drama and trauma. That's kind of sad, too. We don't cry around each other, either, and I have six sisters! And I'm not the oldest. Go figure1

Graciesmom | September 23, 2008 at 8:42 PM

Sisters are the best.

charrette | September 24, 2008 at 12:01 AM

I've had terrible weeks like that, and the worst part is not feeling understood. Or worse, feeling invisible. It's almost like the suffering is WORSE if no one notices you're in pain!

So glad Jen was there for you! I have the best time talking on the phone to my sister(s) too! And the cards? über-thoughtful! Yay, Jen!