Building a Sisterhood

The end of June is always a tough month for me and for my family. June 26th this year marked the 11th anniversary of my younger sister’s passing.

⊸

Some years are harder than others, and this year has been especially rough because she would have turned 30 years old this fall. I think my #family has been hit especially hard this year. I can hear it in my mother’s voice.

I miss her. It’s like the air I breathe is thinner without her. My quality of life is different. My longing for her and the relationship we built grows stronger each year. My wondering what she would be or how she would be now rack my thoughts all the time.

A dear #friend of mine pointed out to me last week that I make great efforts to build a strong network of sisters around me, not necessarily just for my own benefit, but to support and encourage each other. I’d never thought of it that way before, but it’s true.

When I feel my lowest, I look to these #sisters I’ve found over the years. A few particularly special ones have helped me keep it together when I couldn’t do it on my own; when I didn’t feel I had enough to take care of myself after taking care of my family. They’re who saw me #grieve when I couldn’t allow my parents to see; they’re who checked on me and sat with me as I dealt with family complexities.

⊸

When I was the one who had to be strong for the family, to be their rock, these sisters made sure they were mine. And, in turn, I make sure that I do everything in my power to take care of them.

I don’t look to them to replace my #sister that is no longer with me, but I look to them for outlets to provide support, love and encouragement that I can no longer use toward her.

It’s still in me, and it has to go somewhere. She would approve.

⊸

I think of my accomplishments, and I think of the opportunities I’ve had to be there for people the way that I’ve wanted to be there for my own sister. I hope that she would be #proud. I hope that she would smile and laugh, and when I meet her next in heaven, I hope she does a little dance before she throws her arms around me. I can’t wait.

⊸

I will continue my efforts and being who I am for her, in her #memory. I am nothing if not dedicated to my sisters: my rocks, my #inspiration, my advisors and confidants. I had almost 19 years with my own, and I have my entire adulthood to enjoy these new chances at #sisterhood. That means everything to me.