Every now and again, my sisters and I carve out a day to have lunch together at one of our homes.
Somebody picks up a sub order (we have our sub preferences stored in our cells) and brings it to one sister’s house. We sit and eat, sip coffee and munch on a sweet, usually one the host sister had prepared. Then we clear the meal quickly, put our feet up and talk the afternoon away. It is sheer bliss. I love them. They complete me.
When I clean my house and if I’m all alone, I crank up a ’70s station to keep myself motivated and on task. Once in a while I hear “We are Family,” and as I clean I’m singing it: “I have all my sisters with me!” Dropping my dust cloth, I run to my phone and text message my three sisters (one being my brother’s wife), and if they’re home, they turn it on, too!
Many times during the years as our parents’ earthly life was waning, we’d thank them for having four kids. As they aged, we shared the honor of caring for them in their home for as long as possible. When they were still living at home, they’d fuss that we were doing too much for them. We always shushed them, saying, “How many diapers did you change? Did you ever let us sit without tending, without making sure we had enough to eat? That we were comfortable and safe?”
The latest Sister Day was held just recently, and my youngest sibling wanted us at her house. Our daughter was still home on winter break from college at that time and she offered to handle night chores for me so I wouldn’t have to be constantly mindful of the time.
It had been my turn to pick up subs so my older sister and I had stopped at a Subway as we neared our destination. The gal behind the counter cheerfully filled my order as we chatted, and I mentioned I was on my way to enjoy a sister day. The attendant’s voice got a bit wobbly and her eyes filled as she responded, “I had my last one seven years ago!”
Immediately, I felt a quick burn of tears behind my eyes and my heart filled. I said simply, “Oh, I’m so sorry.”
“No, no, it’s OK!” She brightened, I’m sure, calling her sister in mind just then. “You go and enjoy the day.”
“Thank you, I will.”
Retelling the story to my sisters we again marveled at the blessing of having each other for all these years. We are not only sisters by blood, we are sisters through Christ, and they help keep me accountable. We had invited the Lord into the day with us at the very start and periodically prayed throughout the afternoon, as is our custom, as our conversation turned to our husbands, children and any issues we were dealing with personally. When one hurts, we all hurt.
For the next Sister Day, we attended a musical put on by the Shawano Community High School music and drama departments. Deciding to go out to eat first, we settled on a Mexican restaurant in Shawano called El Tequila. It was most fitting, as our server escorted us to a comfortable booth, he called us “la familia (the family).”
Checking up on us later he smiled, “Eres bueno, familia? (You good, family?)”
We giggled and said, “Si! Si!” (My sister married a Mexican, my dear brother-in-law, and she is enlightening us to all things Mexican, including food, which I embrace and my husband absolutely does not.)
After a delicious meal (of which I had no idea what I was eating), we made our way to the high school where we were treated to a charming performance of “The Wizard of Oz.” The kids performed at such a professional level I was amazed they were just elementary and high school students. The pit orchestra’s performance resembled the original soundtrack of “The Oz.”
Fantastic! Seriously, I was mesmerized and my sisters and I completely enjoyed the singing, the dialogue, beautiful costumes, realistic set designs, flying witches and monkeys, complete with a very accommodating Toto.
After the final curtain the entire audience showed their approval with a standing ovation. Later, we congratulated all of the performers. Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Cowardly Lion, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, these I specifically commended for their outstanding performances. All the little munchkins, doing double-duty as they magically transformed into graceful, floating poppies, were in the line, beaming with the praise they received from the audience.
Later as my sisters and I made our way out talking, we agreed we were in awe of the entire presentation: from the music to the performers, to the stage crew, choreographers, and all the adults who volunteered their time and effort to make this happen. We were astounded. I commend them, every one.
My sisters and I agreed, sharing this night together made for a great Sister Day!
I am so thankful to have my sisters share life with me. Together, we are family! When’s the next Sister Day, girls?
(“By yourself you’re unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three (or four!) stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.” Ecclesiastes 4:12, The Message Bible)
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