A request...

Today's blog was requested by one of the most amazing women I know. And although I don't know if it's what she had in mind, it's something she (and other women) needs to understand.

The topic for today is how Sisters make "it" work. You may be wondering what "it" is. "It" cannot be borrowed, bought, learned or anything verb you can think of, it's just there or it's not. This "it" that I speak of, is the bond between Sisters.

"A Sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves - a special kind of double."
-- Toni Morrison

Toni understands. A Sister is not just a sibling. A Sister is a part of yourself in a way no one else can be. A Sister is the person that makes fun of you when you fall, but is always the first to lend a hand to help you back up. She is the one that not only lets you borrow clothes, gives dating advice and the first pick to go shopping with, but she is also the one you call when your heart is broken, when you just can't make that outfit work and when you need advice on how to make that jerk regret losing you.

A Sister is the one who you can text/email all day, then when you see each other or call, are perfectly comfortable sitting in silence with. She is the one to laugh when you tell her you need bifocals at 22, but she’ll make sure you have the best looking frames in town. She is also the one who secretly hopes you croak so she can lay claim to your clothes/jewelry/dog. She’s also the one with your Facebook password so she can creep everyone out (on your behalf) by posting a status from the grave.

A Sister is the other half of your personality- you need her to be the real you. She's the one that lets you know when that joke is dumb, checks your teeth for food and tells you to grow some balls when you need to. She is the one that gives you the pep talks, explains why someone would do that and what they really meant (Without her, I'd think the whole world was out to get me).

A Sister is the woman in your life who is your reality check, morale booster, best friend and biggest confidant. She knows enough secrets to sink a ship but would NEVER dare to tell a soul. A Sister is more then a best friend. The bond shared between them will never be compromised, can withstand every argument (even PMS) and is never questioned.

When you question any decisions, she is the one you go to. She is the one who listens. She is the one that may judge you, but you know she’s doing it with your best interests at heart. She’s not scared to call you an idiot to your face, but would never say that behind your back.

The thing women need to know- a Sister doesn't have to be biological. A Sister can be the girl you met in first grade, your cousin, a college friend or a neighbor. Technically, you may be sisters because you have the same parents, but a true Sister is the first person you think of when things get tough.

“I don't believe an accident of birth makes people sisters or brothers. It makes them siblings, gives them mutuality of parentage. Sisterhood and brotherhood is a condition people have to work at.”
-- Maya Angelou

I am very fortunate to have my sister as my best friend, co-conspirator, confidant and reality check. And although I’m pretty sure she would have been glad to get rid of me when we were younger, I’d like to think I grew on her. The quote I leave you with, is one that sums up the relationship between us.

“She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. Some days, she's the reason you wish you were an only child.”
-- Barbara Alpert