Sisterhood

I am blessed with a wonderful brother who has always treated me well and been a big part of my life. He was never the type to ignore me in school or make fun of me in front of his friends. I feel very lucky that I still live close to him as an adult and get to enjoy the chance to grow old staying close to him and his family. 

What I never had was a sister. I can't speak to having an actual sister obviously, but what I have learned, especially over the course of the last year, is how important a sisterhood among women becomes as we venture through life. Whether these women are relatives like cousins or in-laws or very good friends, the sisterhood relationship is one of the very important keys to a happy and full life. There are some things that a husband simply can't understand. And sometimes you just need a place to feel safe and discuss things that your husband will never be able to see from your perspective. 

This weekend I was reminded how wonderful the sisterhood I have encircled myself with really is. I cherish the women I am close to in my life in so many ways and I try to tell them about the roles they play in my life because I am so thankful to have somewhere to go and laugh, cry or even express anger when I feel the need. While not all of these women were present this weekend, three of the women who I cherish deeply were by my side when I needed them. It could have been a very long weekend at the festival we were at, and as far as time goes, it was. However for me, it was a blessing in disguise. We have been going through some very hard times in my house recently. No one is sick and our marriage is not in trouble just for the record. Life simply hasn't worked out the best for us lately and I was already beyond my ability to hold it all in and still function. As I sat freezing among three of my favorite people in the whole world, I started to share what we are going through. I was able to talk and cry and be comforted by people who were not in the middle of the problem with me. It was so therapeutic and I have such a sense of relief knowing that I don't have to pretend that everything is okay when it's not. 

As recently as a year ago I would have holed up in my house and absorbed the situation by myself taking out the brunt of the anxiety and worry on Roman. Now I can gather my "sisters" and know that I am never alone and they will always be there for me to share the good and the bad. I love these women so much for all that they are and do for me. I always knew my life was missing something before, but I had no idea how big a piece the sisterhood bond was of the puzzle of happiness.