SISTERS

I had a visit this week with my sisters (I have SIX sisters). We gathered in Salt Lake City at what we affectionately call "Hotel Thomas"--Dede's place. It was relaxed. It was fun and funny. It was emotional. It was educational. It was full of lounging and walking and talking and eating and dogs. It included tears and laughter and conversation and comfortable silence. It was wonderful.

As adults we sisters have tried to maintain a relationship apart from our spouses and children and now grandchildren. We have tried to keep a line of communication open for information, support, emotions, criticisms, praise, encouragement, moods, whims, ideas, hopes and fears. We have shared good times and bad. We have sometimes done it poorly and sometimes done it well. But we have always acknowledged the fact that there is no relationship quite like that of sisters.

I agree with a statement by Penelope Farmer, "Sisterhood is a messy, fragmentary, ambiguous thing, an indiscriminate jumble of love, hate, amity, enmity, to be teased out bit by bit."

I can't imagine life without sisters. I have SIX of the best--Dede, Sue, Sandy, Jules, Mari and Jen. They are vibrant, complex, loving, wise, beautiful, very real women and they are MY sisters. I am so blessed.

Writer's block

I can't think of anything to say. I guess my mind is still too fuzzy from too little use and too many days on the couch. I suppose the flu will do that to you. I'll have to make up for it another day. In the meantime:

Be of Good Cheer!

FLU

head hurts
sinus stuffed
throat thick
skin sweats
no desire to move
night becomes day becomes night again
what day is it
pills popped
soup swallowed
"C" sucked
herbs eaten
no relief in sight
good thing my children are mostly grown
this flu must end

It's a Wonderful Life

"No one is born to be a failure. No one is poor who has friends. Simple thoughts that were the inspiration for one of the richest, most uplifting, most beloved American films ever made. Frank Capra's classic tale of George Bailey and his Christmas Eve visit with a guardian angel....remains as powerful and moving as the day it was made." (cover of video)

This week I had occasion to watch part of this classic film. It caused me to ponder on my own life, looking at my successes and failures, listing my friends, and remembering what I've done and where I've been.

I never imagined as a child that I would end up in a small town in Wyoming managing a little "mom and pop" motel scraping by month to month. I never dreamed of scrubbing toilets and doing laundry and keeping records to satisfy the IRS. I did plan to marry and have children, but never thought much about the ups and downs of marriage and motherhood--the hours and days and weeks staying home, following routine patterns, caring for home and family, seeming to accomplish "nothing much of interest" . I somehow thought, like George Bailey, that I would "lasso the moon". I imagined the "happily ever after" of a fairy tale--love, fame, fortune...you know.

Now, as I look back, I see the blessings that have come to me in this "non-fairy-tale-like" life. I have a great husband. He's easy to live with, fun to be around, smart, intelligent, resourceful and loving. I have seven wonderful children, independent and happy and moving forward in their lives. They have found wonderful companions and have begun raising families of their own, bringing us eleven awesome grandkids. Because of our many moves, I now have friends all over the place, too!

I enjoy singing, reading, learning, creating, cooking, laughing, even cleaning and organizing. I get quick updates and stimulating conversations regularly over the phone and internet. I get hugs and sticky kisses and Lego masterpieces almost daily. There is love and appreciation and fun and passion in my life. And, though each day is remarkably similar to the one before, I am continually learning new things--about myself, about the world, about my purpose and direction.

My life has taken many unexpected twists and turns bringing me to where I am today. And, though I never found fame and fortune, I have to say I wouldn't change much! I have my "happily ever after" and it really is "A Wonderful Life".