Views from a Front Porch …Sisters of My Heart

Debbie was my only natural sister.  When we were kids, her curly blond hair and hazel eyes reflected a bubbly, happy, sweet personality that was in direct contrast to my auburn-red hair, brown eyes, shy and sullen personality. Deb was not only the cute one and sweet one she was the smart one.  She was also the youngest.  We were one year and two weeks apart in age but once we became teenagers we couldn’t have been further apart. But she was my sister and I loved her and I still miss her terribly. I hear or see something and think, Oh I have to call Deb; she’ll get a kick out of this, and then remember I can’t.  But I have a great gift that she left me.  She left me with memories of her goofy sense of humor, her good heart and her kids and grandkids who have become my family.

I am fortunate to have other sisters who also make up my family.  These are women who have come into my life at various times who have helped shape the person I have become.  They are the Sisters of My Heart.  I cannot take credit for the term.  One of my friends had pieces of jewelry made for three of us that incorporated that phrase into the design.  These sisters are wonderful, warm, loving, spiritual, funny, smart women who have taught me a lot about life and myself and who are the family I have chosen.  I hope everyone is fortunate enough to have such sisters of the heart.

Yvonne, we always called her Bonnie, began working for my family when she was about fourteen.  She is pretty and sweet and was the first person who treated me like a kid sister.  My dad had the privilege of walking her down the aisle, something he missed out on at Deb’s wedding and I’ve never taken the trek. Both of my parents loved her and kept in touch with her until they died.  I have a fond memory of her visit with my dad a few months before he died.  I’m not sure she knew how much that visit meant to him and to me.

Terri is my oldest friend and the individual who has probably had the most impact on my life. Terri really brought me out of my shell.  Her unguarded and optimistic view of the world opened me up to things I never thought I would see and do.  I’ve overcome my fear of water, for the most part, thanks to her encouraging me to ride back and forth across the Galveston ship channel on a ferry until I was not completely terrified.  My fear of heights was conquered by riding up and down in a glass-encased elevator until I could stand by the glass without clinging to the door.  Together we have traveled across state borders and around the world.  We have a blast!  I love her more than I know how to say.

Angela is probably the most uninhibited person I know.  Uninhibited seems to be a recurring trait among some of my friends, so to describe her as the most uninhibited speaks volumes about her unshielded behavior.  She doesn’t ride nude on horseback through the street, as far as I know; and if she did Angie is one of those people would spill it on her Facebook page.  She is the person from whom I’ve learned not to take myself so seriously.

Paula is tough.  She’s funnier than she knows and has more heart than she gives herself credit for. Paula has high standards and holds others and herself to those standards. She struggles to be the best person she can be and beats herself up when she thinks she falls short.  She’s taught me to be more tolerant and not beat myself up so much.

Barbara is a kind and old soul.  She is generous to a fault and shared her friendship with me since her son was a tiny boy.  He is a handsome full-grown old soul of a man now.  Barbara has impeccable taste and I hope some of that style and generosity has rubbed off on me.

Jean is my evil-twin.  That’s fair because I’m her evil-twin. We finish each other’s sentences and sometimes seem to share a brain, which is scary because there are only so many brain cells to go around and sharing can’t be good for either of us. On the flip side, Jean is the smartest person I know and sharing brain cells with her can only be good for me. She keeps me abreast of technology and Jean is the best sounding board I have ever found.  We have remarkably similar life experiences and keep each other off the ledge from time to time.  Jean has taught me how to look past the crap and see the light at the end of the tunnel and believe it isn’t a train heading my way.

Alice and Dianne interviewed me for the job where I currently work.  We hit if off immediately and I think we all are better for the experience.  Full disclosure, I work at a state government agency and never have been much of a political animal.  Alice has been in politics in some form most of her life.  Dianne is engaged to a state representative.  Politics are part of their life.  I’ve learned how to be more politically astute, and in my current position that is not a bad thing.  They also push me to do those things I want to accomplish but don’t always make time to do.

There are other wonderful women who have come into my life and who have helped me and they all know who they are.  They are all in one way or another Sisters of My Heart who support, love and shape others and the world around them.

Today’s reflection is remembering all those people in our lives whom we love and who love us.  Someday, when you go to pick up the phone to share a joke or story with them, they may not be there.  So, tell your sisters, brothers, parents and friends you love them today.  Will they irritate you and frustrate you and occasionally disappoint you?  Probably.  And you will irritate, frustrate and occasionally disappoint them.  As long as you can share the irritation, frustration and disappointment it is a good day, because they and you are HERE to share.