SISTERS!

This is for all the GIRLS!

A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother. Asthey talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter. “Don't forget your Sisters,” she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. “They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them.””Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women... your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too. You'll need other women. Women always do.”

“What a funny piece of advice!” the young woman thought. Haven't I just gotten married? “Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grown-up! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!”

But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact with her Sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, Sisters are the mainstays of her life.

After more than 50 years of living in this world, these say it all:

Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.

BUT.........

Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach. When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you...Or come in and carry you out. Girl-friends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, mothers, grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life!The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other.

Thank you so much to the following SISTERS in my life:

Mama, not here present with me but I know is somewhere among the heavens watching over me.

Lolas, for making me look forward to graciously age with time.

Auntie Cely and Auntie Lita, for being just an email away.

Auntie Grace, for being just a thought away.

Auntie Dina and Auntie Lib, for being just a text away.

Auntie Tarcela, for being just a prayer away.

Nanay, for the patience.

Ate Arjo and Ate Leah, my sisters-in-law, for being available all the time.

Ate Imelda, for the listening ear.

Armila, for just looking at me when I cry. (And cry later… when I’m not looking.)

Gracia and Judelyn, my high school buddies, for just being there.

Macel, for uplifting my spirit.

Tata and Issa, my college sentimental pals, for always making your presence be felt.

Ate Arnila and Ate Flor, for the laughs.

Ate Chai and Ate Rosabel, for challenging me to be great educators like you.

Ma’am Naoe, for the inspiration. (I swear, I will put up my school for kids with special needs.)

Bea and Gaby, my beautiful and wonderful daughters, for making my day.

**Just a NOTE: For more than a couple of weeks not blogging, here’s what I learned: “I easily cry.”