Okay, so she’s my only sister. And I don’t have any brothers.
There’s something special about a grown-up sister. Somehow that same female who found you annoying (“Can you possibly chew that gum any louder?”) and always in the way (“Get out of my room!”—that one always confused me, since it was my bedroom, too) has turned into someone who wants to spend time with you. Someone who is willing to drive hundreds of miles to share a cup of tea on the front porch.
Libby is five years older than I and, growing up, that put her just far enough along on the maturity scale to make it hard for us to play together. When I was 5, she was 10. When I was finally 10, she was a cool 15. But occasionally we’d find common ground, like the time she helped me sew button eyes on socks, and we gave a puppet performance for Mother. Or when she’d play hide-and-seek with me in the barn.
For as long as I can remember, my sister has been able to make anything. Even as a teen, she could make the biggest, fluffiest, flakiest biscuits. When she decided to knit, her first project was a cable knit sweater. (Mine was a solitary lopsided slipper.) She can decorate cakes and turn a tomato into a rosebud garnish.
When I got married, I was still in college and beyond broke. So Libby, who had gotten married several years before in a hoop-skirted gown, cut up her own wedding dress to make mine. It was beautiful.
But now Libby is making the most difficult thing she’s ever attempted: a new life for herself.
After 46 years of marriage, Libby is a widow. Living alone. Facing days that are not defined by that familiar companionship between husband and wife. For years she was a caregiver to Denny, so there is a freedom about her new life. She can buzz down to McDonalds for a fish sandwich or cup of coffee. She can come to visit me. But the rhythm of things has changed. She is still searching for who she is, for what shape her life will take.
Libby’s got children and grandchildren and a brand-new great grandson. So, as they say, life goes on. But it’s a different life to be sure.
Yes, my sister can make anything. And as she works on this latest challenge, I’m planning to help her any way I can. That’s what favorite sisters do.
What an uplifting story about sisters! You remind us how precious family is and how the small details of togetherness over a lifetime build irreplacable bonds. May God continue to guide and bless your sister as she finds God's beautiful new path for her life.
Beautiful, Mary Lou! God planned for the two of you to be sisters before either of you were born! Isn't that a miracle in itself?
I am so happy that you both have been able to enjoy each other through the various stages of life. I, too, have no brothers and only one sister, 5 1/2 years older than I. I remember playing hide and seek together (one time I broke my arm chasing her) and dressing in our Halloween costumes: one year, I was the painting, she was the artist. Even though occasionally we would fight, the worst punishment was not being allowed to sleep together.
Now she lives in Florida but we talk several times each week and she is wonderful about coming to visit. (I'm overdue in going there) She is someone who is at the top of my to-be-most-admired list and I can't imagine loving anyone more except for the Lord. Thanks, Lord, for choosing Stephanie just for me.
May all sisters be blessed with such a relationship and treasure each new day together.
GOOD Morning MaryLou- What a great story! Reminds me in this early morning quietness to give my heartfelt Thanks to God for my own FIVE sisters!Like you=no brothers yet also having a sister whose husband has passed(long road of recovery from the loss for her).Another sister that passed away very unexpectantly(due to Leukemia she never even knew she had-4/2/2002)who is still soo very missed. She(Vickie)was the helper with my schoolwork!all those years through(a true "teacher" without the degree!). You see, I have to admit:EACH one of them-my sister's,ARE my favorites! Each @ different times/phases of my life so far(age 48 yrs.#5 of the six total of us!).Even tho,yes there were times I surely wouldnt have thought so.. like when I locked one in the basement because of being mad @ her!ha Now as adult sisters I've even noticed how much closer the youngest(3yrs after me) sister & I have/are becoming(the one I never had time for due to me following Rita-the sister two yrs older than myself EVERYWHERE!). It's awesome also watching all our "kids"being friends,with connections just as special to each. Thanks for sharing your story.And God's continued blessings to you & your sister! ~peacekeeper : Rose~
Beautifully said! I was blessed with two sisters, I am the baby! They both have showered me with much love thru my life....and especially when I suddenly became a widow in 2005 at the age of 46. They were both there for me in their own special way, and I praise God for blessing me with them. My sister, Debbie a few months ago had an accident that could have gone tragic...but I had been talking with her on the phone that morning while she was driving home on the interstate after visiting her daughter...when we hung up I prayed God's protection over her....and four hours later I learned that upon passing a semi truck, her car was sucked underneath him, spinning her around and then shooting her out to land into the guard rail that protected a deep pond on the other side....she walked away unscathed and only the area around the driver was unharmed....the other windows were shattered and the trunk was gone after the semi drove over it. God prevailed and prayer was answered even before I knew what was about to take place.....I pray God's perfect peace for Libby and I pray you continue to share such beautiful blessed stories. NitaLynn
