Sisters

 I am an only child and I have sisters.  Not sisters that share my DNA but who occupy a special place in my heart.  The last several months have been incredibly stressful. My sisters have pulled me through the last several, trying months, when life’s circumstances threatened to overwhelm me.  Whenever I felt alone and weary, one of their voices would reach out and comfort me…to let me let me cry and to make me laugh and to let me know I had someone on my side....someone watching my back.

After losing my mother early last year, all of the decisions and responsibilities fell to me – the only child.  Clearing out my late mother’s apartment was one of the final responsibilities.  It was a job I was dreading - going through years of accumulation and memories.  I had already made two trips from my home 2000 miles away, each time each time sorting, discarding and donating piles of items… and there was still an unbelievable amount of work to do.  It seemed like a never ending chore.  

 On my third trip, as I traveled across the country to my mother’s condo, my connecting flight was cancelled.  My Chicago sister came to pick me up in the middle of a snowstorm.  I could have easily stayed in a hotel but she wouldn’t hear of it.  “Of course I’m coming, you’re my sister, you know.”  We had a wonderful visit and I was glad that the snowstorm had delayed me.  I was much more relaxed and ready to tackle what lay ahead.

When I finally made it to my mother's condo, another sister insisted on driving six hours again through winter weather to come help me.   I felt swamped but it was my responsibility.  I told her that it didn’t seem right that I impose that burden on anyone else.  She would have none of it.  “I’m coming and we're going to get it done.  It’s what sisters do.”

 As we began the arduous process of clearing and cleaning out, another sister came by.  “I like to clean stuff out, as long it’s not my own,” she declared.  Her assertion that she was great at spatial relations proved itself as she packed box after box with exacting precision.  The apartment was slowly emptying out.  Perhaps this would be the final push.  

There were sisters who came by with treats and morale support...the sisters who met us for dinner when we needed an escape.  They made us laugh and forget the boxes and chaos we left behind.  And there were the out of town sisters who called in their love and support.   All of my sisters played a vital role in this house clearing drama.  They kept me sane and constantly reminded me that I was not alone.

And then it was done.  The movers came and loaded the truck that would take the cartons that were filled with parts of my history across the mountains to my new home.  The charities came and took what was left.  The only things that remained were the dimples in the carpet where furniture had once stood.  The apartment was empty, ready for it’s new owners and a new life.

I am closing a chapter in my life and beginning a new one – one filled with the love and strength that comes from having sisters.  I am no longer an “only” – I have sisters!  My sisters came to my rescue and thank you seems so inadequate to express how grateful I am to have them in my life.  Heartfelt thanks to all of my sisters….you know who you are…I love you…I am such a lucky girl.